Concessions: KTM can develop engine until 2021
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With three MotoGP podiums – including two victories – already this season, plus a further rostrum at Valencia 2018, KTM has now sailed past the threshold of 6 Concession points.Check out the MotoGP YouTube channel – CLICK HEREConcession Points (3 for 1st, 2 for 2nd, 1 for 3rd) are the method by which manufacturers gain or lose access to a range of technical perks, designed to help those struggling to reach the podium.During a normal season, Concessions include extra engine changes, exemption from the in-season engine development freeze, extra private testing and extra wild-card entries.However, due to the special Covid technical freeze, KTM will only be fully equal with Honda, Yamaha, Ducati and Suzuki at the start of 2022.Once a manufacturer crosses the 6-point limit, they immediately lose access to testing perks, with the other Concession privileges then withdrawn from the start of the ‘following season’.That will also apply to KTM, which has now lost the right to ‘unlimited’ private testing with its grand prix riders, while factory test riders Dani Pedrosa and Mika Kallio can only test at nominated circuits (rather than anywhere).But the difference compared to when Suzuki lost access to Concessions during 2018 is due to the extended freeze on engine development announced earlier this year, to reduce costs following the Covid pandemic.That agreement stated Non-Concession manufacturers must start the 2021 season using March 2020 engine and aerodynamic parts, with ‘no engine evolution’ allowed until the end of 2021.Therefore, Honda, Ducati, Yamaha and Suzuki must use the same engine spec from the start of the 2020 season until the end of next year.But for anyone (in this case KTM) losing Concessions during 2020, ‘no engine evolution’ until 2022 clashes with the ‘following season’ grace period, during which engines are re-designed to cope with the extra mileage needed without Concessions.During a normal season, Concession riders are allowed 9 rather than 7 engine changes. That difference has been maintained during the shorter 2020 campaign, with 7 engines allowed for KTM and Aprilia compared with 5 for Honda, Ducati, Yamaha and Suzuki.KTM has confirmed to that at a recent MSMA (manufacturers’ association) meeting, with the extra durability in mind, they were given the green light to develop their engine until the start of 2021.”4Due to the special Covid freeze, the Austrian factory will therefore not be under the exact same engine rules as the other non-Concession constructors until the start of the 2022 season, when engine changes can also be introduced by Honda, Ducati, Yamaha and Suzuki.Do KTM’s rivals have much to fear?Since KTM’s first focus will be on achieving the added reliability required for next season, it seems unlikely the RC16 will make a big surge in performance.”5After all, the easiest way to extend engine life, to compensate for having two fewer engines, is to reduce the maximum rpm.As such, KTM’s engine department might consider they have done well if they can maintain this year’s impressive RC16 engine performance, over the longer mileage required next season.KTM will also no longer have the safety net of being able to alter the design of any troublesome engine parts during the 2021 racing season, further suggesting a radical overhaul of the RC16 powerplant this winter is unlikely.”6
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