P1racenews AI automatic summary:
After rising from the D concession ranking, Honda will now enter MotoGP’s frozen-engine era from the 2026 season opener.
Honda will be part of the engine freeze in MotoGP starting from the 2026 season, alongside Ducati, Aprilia, and KTM, as confirmed by MotoGP technical director Danny Aldridge to Crash.net.
The freeze began for European manufacturers in 2025 due to the upcoming shift to new 850cc machines, locking in the engines homologated in March 2026 until the end of the 1000cc era in Valencia 2026.
Honda, not being in the lowest D concession rank, will enter the freeze midway and can continue engine development until the 2026 Thai Grand Prix.
Following the homologation, Honda’s RC213V engine specifications will be frozen, unless their constructor points drop below 35% by the next concession window after the 2026 summer breaks.
Yamaha, the only D-rank manufacturer, retains full concession rights and can modify their V4 engine throughout 2026, while Ducati remains in rank A.
The agreement not to test future 850cc machines on track expired on November 17th, allowing the new bikes to conduct private testing, with specific regulations for manufacturers in ranks D and C outlined.
These regulations cover areas such as private test tyres, testing restrictions, available test circuits, wild-cards, engine allocations per rider, engine development rules, and aero updates allowed, showcasing the various concessions and limitations for manufacturers in different ranks in MotoGP.
