MotoGP Announces Huge Concession System Overhaul For 2024
After a dominant season for Ducati, MotoGP wants to bring the field closer together and announces a huge concession system overhaul.
Jorge Martin’s delayed start to his Aprilia career has sparked fresh debate over MotoGP’s testing rules, with Aprilia pushing for a crucial amendment that would allow injured riders to conduct a private test before returning to race action.
However, resistance from at least one manufacturer threatens to stall the proposal.
Martin, the reigning MotoGP world champion, has been sidelined since suffering a scaphoid injury during the Sepang test in early February.
With recovery ongoing, he is set to miss the next round in Texas and is targeting a return at Qatar in mid-April.
The Spaniard’s situation is complicated further by the fact that he has yet to properly ride the Aprilia RS-GP in competitive conditions.
Aprilia has proposed a rule change that would grant any rider who has missed multiple races due to injury the right to a one-day private test before returning.
Currently, Yamaha and Honda have unrestricted private testing under MotoGP’s concession system, but Ducati, KTM, and Aprilia are barred from such privileges outside of official test sessions.
Speaking to MotoGP.com, Aprilia Racing Manager Paolo Bonora emphasized that this amendment is about safety, not an unfair advantage.
“Many riders have come back from injury and found themselves unable to handle a MotoGP bike.”
“After one or two laps, they’ve had to withdraw from a race weekend. A test beforehand would reduce that risk for all manufacturers,” he stated.
The plan is for Martin to complete a test at Misano just days before the Qatar Grand Prix to assess his fitness.
However, for that to happen, the rule change must be approved unanimously by the MSMA (Motorcycle Sports Manufacturers’ Association), something that currently seems unlikely.
Aprilia CEO Massimo Rivola confirmed that while most manufacturers are in favor, one remains opposed.
Ducati has indicated it would support the rule change but only from 2026, not immediately for Martin.
“I really don’t understand the hesitation. Jorge is no threat to Ducati in the championship this year.”
“This is about safety. If he tries FP1 and doesn’t feel good, we’ve lost a bike for the weekend.”
Ducati team boss Davide Tardozzi suggested Martin could test an Aprilia RSV4 Superbike instead, but Aprilia argues that a production bike cannot replicate the demands of a MotoGP prototype.
The discussion is expected to take place at the upcoming COTA round. With unanimous approval required for an in-season rule change, the future of Aprilia’s proposal remains uncertain.
If rejected, Martin may be forced to return to racing without prior testing – a situation Aprilia believes is both risky and avoidable.
With other manufacturers having faced similar dilemmas in the past, including Ducati with Enea Bastianini and KTM with Pol Espargaro, the push for change may gain momentum beyond this season.
But for now, Martin’s return will depend not just on his recovery, but on the politics of the paddock.
