The increase in power and the wide range of different winners in MotoGP in recent years multiply the uncertainty and enthusiasm among the spectators.
In the 2021 MotoGP season, riders from four manufacturers ( Ducati, Honda, KTM, Yamaha) have won races. Suzuki was also on the podium, having been world champion the previous season.
Parameters such as development, standard electronics – introduced for all manufacturers in 2016 – and the fact that there has only been one tire manufacturer since 2016 come into play here.
Under cover of this situation, the CEO of Dorna, Carmelo Ezpeleta, places the reason for the close competition mainly in the concession system. And for this he expresses his sincere thanks to two important Japanese manufacturers.
“We must not forget to thank Honda and Yamaha. They entered the concession system at a time when they won everything,” he told Motorsport.com.
Ezpeleta particularly remembers the period from 2011 to 2015. In those five years, all the grands prix were won by Honda or Yamaha riders, months before the concession system was introduced.
Since then, the concessions, which provide a number of benefits to less successful manufacturers, have proven themselves multiple times. ” Ducati was the first manufacturer to benefit from this”, recalls Ezpeleta.
“I clearly remember the moment when they lost them. Then it was Suzuki and KTM. And today all the bikes from these manufacturers are fighting to win races.”
Now, Ezpeleta considers that Aprilia’s turn has come.
“I guess,” continued the Dorna boss, “that Aprilia [the concessions] will lose this year. That would be fantastic because it would mean that all the manufacturers would be in the same position.”
“Of course, a single tire manufacturer and standard electronics play their part”, says Ezpeleta , speaking in this context of “wise measures”.
“But,” he insists, “we must never forget the generosity of Honda and Yamaha. They gave up the advantage they had previously gained to allow the other manufacturers to be more competitive,” he recalled.
