Ducati lose concessions for MotoGP 2016

Ducati will join Yamaha and Honda in racing without technical concessions for MotoGP 2016.

Having not won a race since 2010 the Italian factory, like the returning Suzuki and Aprilia brands, has been able to benefit from the Open class concessions - extra fuel, more engine changes, a softer rear tyre allocation, no engine development freeze and extra testing - since the start of last season.

The original rules stated that unless Ducati, Suzuki or Aprilia won a dry race this season they would again start 2016 with concessions.

But with Ducati claiming six podiums already this season with the much-improved GP15, rival manufacturers wanted the 2016 system of six concessions points (3 points for 1st, 2 points for second, 1 point for third) to be applied now.

That has now occurred, with a statement from the Grand Prix Commission declaring: "In 2015 any manufacturer who currently benefits from concessions and who achieves six concession points in dry or wet conditions will lose all concessions from the following season.

"Note: As Ducati have already achieved more than six concession points in 2015 they will lose concessions from 2016."

The introduction of a single ECU means the end of the Factory and Open classes next season, when Michelin will also replace Bridgestone as exclusive tyre supplier.

The exact 2016 technical concessions for Suzuki and Aprilia (plus KTM from 2017) are yet to be officially confirmed, but are expected to be: nine instead of seven engine changes, no engine development freeze and extra testing.

Tyre choice and fuel limit (22 litres) are expected to be the same for all next year, although in a change from the current system concessions can be returned if a manufacturer goes for a full season without a podium.

Also announced this morning at Assen was the use of 'homologated' engine specifications from previous seasons. Since the homologated specification cannot change during the season, it is assumed that Aprilia and Suzuki will be exempt in order to develop their engines.

"In the interests of cost saving, manufacturers may use engines with specifications homologated from previous seasons, providing that such engines still comply with current technical regulations.

"Each manufacturer may homologate a maximum of three different specifications before the first event of the season.

"Before the first event of the season, every rider must nominate one specification of homologated engine which he must exclusively use for the entire season. This means that in a non-factory team different riders might use engines with different homologated specifications.

"However, every manufacturer must nominate one team as its "Factory Team" and each rider in that team must use engines with the same homologated specification."