MotoGP rivals back Suzuki concessions

Having failed to claim a MotoGP podium this season, Suzuki will regain technical concessions in 2018.

The factory lost the right to unlimited testing, 9 instead of 7 engine changes and exemption from the engine development freeze after Maverick Vinales claimed four podiums during 2016.

That put Suzuki on a par with Honda, Ducati and Yamaha - leaving only Aprilia and KTM with technical perks.

But concessions can be reinstated as well as withdrawn and, while it takes multiple podiums to lose concessions, it only takes one season without a rostrum to regain the benefits.

In Suzuki's case it was close.

Rookie Alex Rins came within 2.7s of a rostrum on his way to fourth place at the Valencia finale, the best result of the year for the new line-up of Rins and Andrea Iannone.

Although they are at a disadvantage, the three manufacturers still competing without concessions in 2018 wholeheartedly back the system, which they credit for close racing and the presence of six factories in the premier-class.

"It’s a good rule I think, honestly," declared outgoing Repsol Honda team principal Livio Suppo. "I think it’s been proven during the last few years that to help the manufacturers that are struggling is good for the championship. At the end of the day, all of the changes that Dorna has done in the last few years has been in my opinion positive.

"At the moment, the competition between all the manufacturers is quite close. This is good for the show. This season I think we have seen so many very, very beautiful races until the last lap. This is very important for all of us, I think.

"If Suzuki this season has been struggling and next year will be again with the possibility to speed-up the process of development, is good. What KTM has done this season is amazing. Without this [concession] rule it would have been impossible.

"I think if now there are all these manufacturers racing and with all this level of very close one bike to the other, I think it’s good for all of us."

While in the past manufacturers may have been focussed on crushing the competition and not giving an inch to their rivals, Yamaha Racing managing director Lin Jarvis underlined that 'phenomenal' racing featuring multiple manufacturers is 'better for all of us'.

"I agree with Livio and refer you to what Pit [Beirer] has said about KTM being really pleased to be a part of this fantastic racing show. That benefits all of us. If Suzuki are able to use these concessions to step-up their game and become more competitive, it just raises the whole level.

"I think one of our big advantages compared to other top motorsports is that the level of racing this year has been phenomenal. Absolutely phenomenal. I think we’ve seen some fabulous races in the dry and some outrageous, fabulous races in the wet as well.

"So, the more competitive weekends we can have, with all manufacturers being present, it’s better for all of us."

Ducati exploited an early version of the concession rules, then aimed at privateer machines, when it made an audacious attempt to switch all its MotoGP entries to the now defunct 'Open' class in 2014.

The fallout of that move saw the introduction of a points system for podium finishes, to grant and remove technical perks by manufacturer, laying the framework for the current concession system.

"As you know, Ducati took advantage of these rules when we were not competitive, to be able to step-up the development of the bike. And when we came to a level where we were able to score podium finishes, we lost the concessions," confirmed Ducati MotoGP project director Paolo Ciabatti.

"It’s a rule which applies to everyone and it’s fair. It does help the championship to become so competitive and allows new manufacturers to join the series with a chance of getting to the level of the top teams or top manufacturers."

Nonetheless, Suzuki team manager Davide Brivio insisted he would rather have a podium.

"I would choose the podium. The concessions, they might be good, but at the end of the day to test more is very difficult because is difficult to fit additional days [around the busy grand prix schedule].

"The only advantage is maybe you can develop the engine during the season - the real advantage. But I would still exchange it for a podium."