The maximum possible points for a make is 37 per race (sprint and GP together) so over the 20-race season a total of 740 was possible. In 2023 Ducati scored 700 (94.6 percent). KTM 370 (50 per cent), Aprilia 326 (44.05 per cent), Yamaha 196 (26 per cent) and Honda 185 (25 per cent). This put Ducati into category A, KTM and Aprilia into C, Yamaha and Honda D.
Categories A to C have one major difference. Ducati will be allowed no wild cards; KTM and Aprilia six. These give factories a chance to race-test new developments. Apart from that, engine development remains frozen, full-time riders may not take part in private tests, and there is only one aero update allowed. Ducati are limited to 170 tyres for the season, the other two get 220,
Honda and Yamaha will have considerable freedom, by comparison. Riders are free to test as much as they like, at any GP circuit rather than only at the three official tests. They can have a maximum of ten engines per rider, against eight – but most importantly engine development is free. Finally, two aero updates, and 260 tyres. If this appears to punish Ducati for success, they were reminded of their own clever manoeuvring to gain concessions in the past, and sporting director Paolo Ciabatti opined that it was for the good of MotoGP for all to be competitive.
Who could disagree?
Images courtesy of Motorsport Images