Considering the performance and results from last year, Honda and Yamaha were placed at the level with the most benefits of the new MotoGP concessions system. Therefore, they can enjoy more opportunities and leeway in developing their bikes than the other three manufacturers.
However, concessions alone won’t make a difference if they’re not utilized. This was emphasized by Dennis Noyes on the Cinta Americana podcast, starting with an example from the Grand Prix of the Americas:
– What do concessions mean? It means they can introduce new engines, they can introduce different aerodynamic solutions. But so far, they are behind compared to last year. […]. Last year, Álex [Rins] won [on the LCR Honda]. This year, the only Honda that finished was [Luca] Marini’s, 28 seconds slower. […] Fabio [Quartararo] was 13.8s slower with the new bike. Ducati improved subtly: Marini was second last year and [Enea] Bastinini was third this year, 5.8s faster. In KTM, we compare Augusto Fernandez who was tenth last year, with Pedro Acosta second this year, 31 seconds faster. And in Aprilia, [Maverick] Viñales was fifth last year, this year he won 13.3s faster. This is concerning.
The American then stated: ‘Now there are many opportunities for Honda and Yamaha to conduct special tests. But a friend of mine who works in the Grand Prix told me that these concessions depend on the factories, it depends on their ability and the intensity they give to the need to solve this problem’.
Noyes compared MotoGP concessions to the case of a student struggling to pass: ‘He says it’s like if a student is about to fail algebra, they make a special concession and leave the library open all night for him to go in and study. Well, it depends on whether he takes advantage of this opportunity or not. Because concessions alone don’t necessarily mean they will improve. Right now, I’m worried about the Japanese brands’.