Marco Bezzecchi
Ducati are currently on course to receive their first-ever MotoGP concessions at the halfway point of the 2026 season.
The premier class reinstated the system for the 2024 season to try to level the playing field among the manufacturers. It aims to help struggling teams with extra test days and upgrade opportunities, and limit Ducati’s dominance.
Who is going to win the Spanish Grand Prix?
And let us know why in the comments!
In 2025, the Borgo Panigale outfit continued to reign supreme, winning all three championships and remaining in Rank A, the top rank in the concessions system. Honda moved up to Rank C last year, marking the only shift in the concessions system for the start of the 2026 season.
MotoGP will evaluate the concessions system again halfway through the year, taking into account the results from the end of 2025 and the start of this season to make adjustments. Ducati have never been lower than Rank A since it was revamped in 2024, but that is set to change for the first time.
Ducati on course to drop to Rank B in the concessions system
As per a report from Motopassion Moto, Ducati are at ‘serious risk’ of receiving concessions, something that has been completely unprecedented since the system was reinstated.
Currently in Rank A, Ducati receive the least amount of test tyres, no wildcard entries, an engine freeze and they cannot use their full-time riders during private testing. But come the midway point of 2026, they could drop to Rank B for the first time.
To maintain Rank A status, a team must score 85% or more since last year’s Austrian Grand Prix. That equates to 660.45 points from a maximum of 777 – Ducati currently have 407.
| Rank | Percentage of points | Test tyres | Private testing | GP Circuit testing | Wildcards | Engines x season | Engine spec | Aero updates |
| A | >=85% | 170 | Test rider only | 3 circuits | 0 | 7 to 8 | Freeze | 1 |
| B | >=65% <80% | 190 | Test rider only | 3 circuits | 3 | 7 to 8 | Freeze | 1 |
| C | >=35% <60% | 220 | Test rider only | 3 circuits | 3 | 7 to 8 | Freeze | 1 |
| D | <35% | 260 | All riders | Any GP circuit | 6 | 9 to 10 | Free | 2 |
To reach the threshold, they must score 253 points from the next eight races, or average 31.6 points per race, or they will drop to Rank B. After a difficult start to the 2026 season, they are currently averaging 23 points per event.
The Desmosedici GP26 is struggling to keep up with the fast-charging Aprilia RS-GP this year, with Marco Bezzecchi winning all three races thus far. Francesco Bagnaia felt Ducati were no longer the fastest at the start of the season, with the manufacturer having a rider off the podium twice this year.
Marc Marquez called Bezzecchi ‘unstoppable’ before the April break, highlighting the work that Ducati need to do to catch Aprilia. As it stands, they are set to drop to Rank B, which will allow them 20 extra test tyres and three wildcards to use in the second half of 2026.
READ MORE: Everything to know about Ducati from the MotoGP team’s riders to hierarchy
Luigi Dall’Igna refuses to use concessions system as an excuse for Ducati’s regression
It is clear that Ducati’s dominance in MotoGP is slowly fading, and at the moment, they do not have an answer for Aprilia’s surge in form.
Luigi Dall’Igna says the concession system is not an excuse for their drop in performance. When MotoGP gets to Europe at the Spanish Grand Prix this weekend, they will be looking to bounce back.
Have Ducati been too reliant on Marc Marquez to develop their bike?
But if Aprilia remain on top and Ducati cannot score the top results, then concession could be coming their way. With Rank B offering three wildcard entries, the team are planning to use Nicolo Bulega to test the 2027 850cc bike.
However, with Bulega being linked to Trackhouse for next season, if he is to leave Ducati for another manufacturer in 2027, they will not be able to use him.
Receive racing news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
