🚨 The Honda Concessions Cliffhanger! 🚨
It’s the ultimate paradox for the mighty HRC! Their top riders are charging into Valencia, not just for a trophy, but for the most ironic victory of all: losing their golden ticket!
The Mission: Get 9 Points or More!
If the Honda boys—and we’re talking about their top-scoring machine in the race—can rack up a total of NINE OR MORE constructor points, they will trigger the “Promotion Penalty.”
That’s right! Nine points in Valencia will be the official sign-off for:
- Grade D ➡️ Grade C in the 2026 Concessions!
Why is Losing a “Win”? (It’s Complicated!)
Grade D is the VIP pass to the development playground. It means MAXIMUM FREEDOM—unlimited private testing, more engine development, more aerodynamic updates… it’s the express lane back to the top!
Moving to Grade C means losing most of those sweet, sweet benefits. Fewer test days! Engine development FREEZE!
The Big Twist: The Silver Lining 🤩
So why would they cheer for this? Because losing the concessions means they’ve crossed the magic threshold of performance!
It’s like a student who’s been given all the tutoring in the world (Grade D), finally acing the exam and being told, “Congrats! You’re so good now, you have to do less extra credit!”
For Honda, this jump to Grade C is a public, undeniable declaration to the world: “The RC213V is BACK in the fight!”
Get ready for the Valencia Grand Prix, where Honda isn’t just racing for glory… they’re racing to graduate! The finish line is a promotion, and the prize is fewer benefits! You can’t make this stuff up!
This is where the drama gets intense! The fate of Honda’s concessions rests on a single calculation, and they have four riders trying to be the hero!
🏁 Honda’s Concession Commandos for Valencia
For the Constructor’s Championship, only the highest-placed Honda rider in the main Sunday race contributes points. The Sprint Race points do not count for the Constructor Standings, only for the Rider and Team Standings.
Honda needs that highest-placed rider to score at least 9 points in the main race to jump from Grade D to Grade C.
The Point Threshold
| Position | Points Awarded (Sunday Race) | Concession Target Met? |
| 1st | 25 | YES |
| 2nd | 20 | YES |
| 3rd | 16 | YES |
| 4th | 13 | YES |
| 5th | 11 | YES |
| 6th | 10 | YES |
| 7th | 9 | YES |
| 8th | 8 | NO ❌ |
| 9th | 7 | NO ❌ |
| 10th | 6 | NO ❌ |
The Contenders: Who’s the HRC Heavy Hitter?
Honda has four bikes on the grid, each with the potential to snag those crucial points:
- 🇪🇸 Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol)
- The Podium Hunter: Mir recently stepped onto the podium in Malaysia (Source 1.2), showing the bike has the pace on its day. He’s been undeniably fast in recent rounds (Source 1.3).
- Total Points: 93 (15th in Standings)
- 🇫🇷 Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR)
- The Consistent Scorer: Zarco is Honda’s highest-ranked satellite rider, and arguably the most consistent top-ten threat for the season (Source 1.4). He even has a victory this season (Source 1.1).
- Total Points: 144 (12th in Standings – The highest-ranked Honda rider overall)
- 🇮🇹 Luca Marini (Honda HRC Castrol)
- The Factory Lead: Marini has been described as an analytical and methodical rider who has amassed a large points total this year (Source 1.3). He is 11 points behind Zarco in the standings.
- Total Points: 133 (13th in Standings)
- 🇯🇵 Takaaki Nakagami or 🇹🇭 Somkiat Chantra (IDEMITSU Honda LCR)
- Depending on the final line-up for the LCR Honda IDEMITSU team, these riders will also be fighting for points, though their season totals are lower (Source 2.5).
The Bottom Line: Top 7 or Bust!
For Honda to achieve their “successful demotion,” one of their four riders needs to cross the finish line in the main Sunday race in 7th place or better (which awards 9 points).
If they manage it, the entire paddock will take notice! It’s a race where the manufacturer is aiming to lose benefits because it means they’ve won the development battle!
Source
The 9-Point Concession Target & Rider Insight: Honda Riders Say Losing Concessions Is Good News
The Full Development Breakdown (D to C restrictions): Honda’s Form Puts Concession Benefits At Risk
The MotoGP Points Scoring System (How to get 9+ points): How Are MotoGP Points Awarded?
The State of the Honda Riders & Season Progress: Marini and Mir Target Positive End in Final Act of 2025
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