2016 MotoGP World Championship explained
The 2016 FIM MotoGP World Championship was the premier class of the 68th F.I.M. Road Racing World Championship season.
Season summary
Jorge Lorenzo was the defending world champion, having secured his third MotoGP title and fifth overall Championship title at the 2015 Valencian Community Grand Prix.[1]
The riders' championship title was won for the third time by Marc Márquez, after his fifth victory of the season at the Japanese Grand Prix has given him an unassailable lead over his title rivals Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi – who both crashed out at Motegi – with three races remaining.[2] [3] Márquez's title marked a return to the top step for Honda after a difficult 2015 campaign for its factory team. Márquez ultimately won the championship by 49 points.
Reigning champion Lorenzo won three of the first six races to lead the title race, but very poor wet weather form during wet races in mid-season curtailed his title bid along with no wins in the dry until the season-ending race in Valencia. Rossi has been the most consistent title challenger, yet he has crashed out of three races up until Márquez's decisive victory in Japan. The Yamaha team has suffered a severe win drought from June onwards, going eight races without a win before Márquez has clinched the title. The drought reached ten races before Lorenzo's Valencian triumph, in his final race for the manufacturer before his move to Ducati in . Rossi has clinched the runner-up position by 16 points from Lorenzo, while their performances earned Yamaha the teams' championship, although Honda won the manufacturers' championship. The only rookie in this season was Tito Rabat – who clinched the rookie of the year award. LCR Honda rider, Cal Crutchlow, achieved the top independent rider award; winning races at Brno and Phillip Island and finished in 7th place in the championship with 141 points. Ducati and Suzuki both have won at least one race during the season, with Ducati's first win marking the first non Yamaha or Honda win for six years.
The 2016 season saw numerous records in regards to race winners. Cal Crutchlow, Jack Miller, Andrea Iannone and Maverick Viñales each won their first races in the premier class, the first time that four new winners had emerged in a MotoGP season. Between the Italian Grand Prix in May and the San Marino Grand Prix in September, eight riders – Lorenzo, Rossi, Miller, Márquez, Iannone, Crutchlow, Viñales and Dani Pedrosa – won in eight successive races, surpassing the previous record of seven, between the 1999 Imola Grand Prix and the 2000 South African Grand Prix. With a win for Andrea Dovizioso in Malaysia further adding to the tally, the total of nine winners was also a record for a single premier class season,[4] surpassing the previous record of eight in the season.[5] This season also marked the first non-factory teams to win a race since the 2006 season, with wins for Marc VDS from Miller (at the Dutch TT) and for LCR from Crutchlow (at the Czech and Australian Grands Prix).
Calendar
The following Grands Prix took place in 2016:[6] [7] [8]
Round | Date | Grand Prix | Circuit |
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1 | 20 March ‡ | Commercial Bank Grand Prix of Qatar | Losail International Circuit, Lusail |
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2 | 3 April | Gran Premio Motul de la República Argentina | |
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3 | 10 April | Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas | Circuit of the Americas, Austin |
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4 | 24 April | Gran Premio Red Bull de España | Circuito de Jerez, Jerez de la Frontera |
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5 | 8 May | Monster Energy Grand Prix de France | Bugatti Circuit, Le Mans |
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6 | 22 May | Gran Premio d'Italia TIM | Mugello Circuit, Scarperia e San Piero |
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7 | 5 June | Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya | Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Montmeló |
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8 | 26 June | Motul TT Assen | TT Circuit Assen, Assen |
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9 | 17 July | GoPro Motorrad Grand Prix Deutschland | Sachsenring, Hohenstein-Ernstthal |
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10 | 14 August | NeroGiardini Motorrad Grand Prix von Österreich | Red Bull Ring, Spielberg |
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11 | 21 August | HJC Helmets Grand Prix České republiky | Brno Circuit, Brno |
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12 | 4 September | Octo British Grand Prix | Silverstone Circuit, Silverstone |
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13 | 11 September | | Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli, Misano Adriatico |
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14 | | Gran Premio Movistar de Aragón | MotorLand Aragón, Alcañiz |
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15 | 16 October | Motul Grand Prix of Japan | Twin Ring Motegi, Motegi |
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16 | 23 October | Michelin Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix | Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, Phillip Island |
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17 | 30 October | Shell Malaysia Motorcycle Grand Prix | Sepang International Circuit, Sepang |
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18 | 13 November | Gran Premio Motul de la Comunitat Valenciana | Circuit Ricardo Tormo, Valencia | |
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‡ = Night race
Calendar changes
Teams and riders
A provisional entry list was announced on 7 November 2015.[10]
| Key |
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Regular rider | Wildcard rider | | |
| |
- Notes:
All the bikes used Michelin tyres.
Team changes
Rider changes
Rule changes
- Starting in 2016, Michelin has become the series' official tyre supplier following Bridgestone's withdrawal from the category.[40] Dorna have also agreed a rule change to the 2016 regulations to increase the wheel size from 16.5 inches to 17 inches (similar to Moto2 and Moto3).[41]
- The previous Factory and Open classes will be merged: every bike must adopt the unified electronic package (ECU and software).[42] Each rider will be able to use up to seven engines in a season, albeit with frozen specifications, and the maximum fuel tank capacity will be 22 litres.[43] Factories without a dry win between 2013 and 2015 will still be allowed to use 12 engines with free development, but in case of a determined number of podiums or wins scored during 2016 the factory will lose these benefits for the next season. Similarly, any manufacturer not scoring a single podium in 2016 will gain those concessions in 2017.
Results and standings
Grands Prix
Riders' standings
- Scoring systemPoints were awarded to the top fifteen finishers. A rider had to finish the race to earn points.
Position | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th | 9th | 10th | 11th | 12th | 13th | 14th | 15th |
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Points | 25 | 20 | 16 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | |
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| Bold – Pole Italics – Fastest lap Light blue – Rookie | |
Constructors' standings
Each constructor received the same number of points as their best placed rider in each race.
Teams' standings
The teams' standings were based on results obtained by regular and substitute riders; wild-card entries were ineligible.
External links
Notes and References
- News: 8 November 2015. Jorge Lorenzo wins third MotoGP title with victory in Valencia GP finale. The Guardian. Associated Press. 16 October 2016.
- News: 16 October 2016. Never say never: Marquez takes the crown in Motegi drama. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports. 16 October 2016.
- News: 16 October 2016. MM93: "I paid a high price last year – but I learnt from it". MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports. 16 October 2016.
- News: 11 September 2016. Magic 8: Untouchable Pedrosa stuns in Misano. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports. 11 September 2016. Pedrosa's victory marks the eighth different winner in 2016, an all-time first since the championship began in 1949 - and he did it from eighth on the grid..
- News: 30 October 2016. Honour roll: the 9 winners - so far. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports. 31 October 2016. The only other year in the 68 year history of motorcycle grand prix racing that there were eight different winners in a premier-class season was in 2000, when eight riders won 500cc Grands Prix: Kenny Roberts Jnr, Garry McCoy, Valentino Rossi, Max Biaggi, Alex Barros, Alex Criville, Loris Capirossi and Norick Abe..
- News: 2016 MotoGP Calendar confirmed. 11 February 2016. 30 June 2016. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports.
- Web site: MotoGP Calendar. Yamaha-racing.com. 21 June 2018. 21 June 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180621143349/https://www.yamaha-racing.com/motogp/calendar/all/2016. dead.
- Web site: 2016 World Motorcycle Championship. 12 June 2017. Motorsportmagazine.com. 21 June 2018.
- News: MotoGP Will Not Return to IMS in 2016. 11 September 2015. 11 September 2015.
- News: 2016 MotoGP provisional entry list. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports. 7 November 2015. 7 November 2015.
- News: Aprilia signs Bradl for 2016, Lowes for 2017. 22 September 2015. 22 September 2015. crash.net. crash.net.
- News: Andrea Dovizioso signs new Ducati MotoGP contract. 19 July 2014. 15 September 2014. Crash.net. Crash Media Group.
- News: Miller Moves To Marc VDS – 2016 MotoGP Grid Now Nearly Complete. 15 October 2015. 15 October 2015. MotoMatters.com. David Emmett.
- News: Barbera in for Iannone, Mike Jones debuts at Avintia. 13 October 2016. 13 October 2016. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports.
- News: Pirro to make wildcard outing for Ducati at Mugello. Jamie. Klein. 18 May 2016. 22 May 2016. Motorsport.com. Motorsport Network. 19 May 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160519212748/http://www.motorsport.com/motogp/news/pirro-to-make-wildcard-outing-for-ducati-at-mugello-737945/. dead.
- News: Pramac Racing announces its partnership with Yakhnich Motorsport. 18 January 2016. 20 January 2016. pramacracing.com. Pramac Racing. https://web.archive.org/web/20160303053748/http://pramacracing.com/en/1569/Pramac-Racing-announces-its-partnership-with-Yakhnich-Motorsport..htm. 2016-03-03. dead.
- News: Ducati test rider Pirro to replace injured Petrucci in MotoGP. 23 March 2016. 22 May 2016. Autosport. Haymarket Publications.
- News: Redding joins Octo Pramac Racing for 2016. 30 August 2015. 30 August 2015. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports.
- News: Loris Baz joins Avintia for 2016. 27 September 2015. 27 September 2015. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports.
- News: Pirro to replace Loris Baz in Barcelona. 27 May 2016. 5 June 2016. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports.
- News: Loris Baz ruled out of MotoGP Misano after huge Silverstone crash. Mitchell. Adam. 6 September 2016. 6 September 2016. Autosport. Haymarket Publications. Avintia Ducati MotoGP rider Loris Baz will miss this weekend's San Marino Grand Prix due to injuries sustained at Silverstone, replaced by World Superbike Championship racer Xavi Fores..
- News: Aspar Team and Yonny Hernandez together in 2016. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports. 30 September 2015. 30 September 2015.
- News: Honda Racing Corporation sign Pedrosa until end of 2016. 9 July 2014. 9 July 2014. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports.
- News: Pedrosa breaks collarbone, Aoyama to ride at Motegi. 14 October 2016. 14 October 2016. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports.
- Web site: Shell Malaysia Motorcycle Grand Prix - MotoGP Entry List. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports. 27 October 2016. 27 October 2016.
- News: Honda MotoGP team calls up Nicky Hayden to replace injured Pedrosa. Mitchell. Adam. 18 October 2016. 18 October 2016. Autosport. Haymarket Publications.
- News: Honda Racing Corporation renew with Marc Marquez until end of 2016. 14 May 2014. 14 May 2014. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports.
- News: Crutchlow renews deal with LCR Honda Team. 26 August 2015. 30 August 2015. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports.
- News: Miller joins Marc VDS Racing for 2016. 15 October 2015. 15 October 2015. speedcafe.com.
- News: Nicky Hayden MotoGP return confirmed. 19 September 2016. 19 September 2016. Motorsport.com. Motorsport Network. Andrew. van Leeuwen.
- News: Official: Tito Rabat to MotoGP with Marc VDS. 1 October 2015. 1 October 2015. Crash.net. Crash Media Group.
- News: Kallio confirms KTM MotoGP race debut in Valencia. 20 July 2016. 6 September 2016. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports.
- News: Erstes Rennen für KTM beim Saisonfinale 2016. de. First race for KTM at 2016 season finale. 21 July 2016. 24 September 2016. motorsport-magazin.com. Sophie. Riga. adrivo Sportpresse GmbH.
- News: Yamaha and Valentino Rossi set to continue with two-year contract extension. 2 July 2014. 2 July 2014. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports.
- News: Yamaha and Lorenzo confirm new two-year agreement. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports. 7 August 2014. 2 December 2014.
- News: Smith out for Silverstone and Misano - Lowes to step in. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports. 29 August 2016. 29 August 2016.
- News: Yamaha Announces Continuation of Contract with Pol Espargaró for 2016. 7 August 2015. 14 August 2015. Yamaha-racing.com. Yamaha Motor Europe. https://web.archive.org/web/20151006203010/http://www.yamaha-racing.com/motogp/articles/news/2015/619083/yamaha-announces-continuation-of-contract-with-pol-espargaro-for-2016. 6 October 2015. dead.
- Web site: Crash.net. Crash Media Group. Forward Racing confirms MotoGP exit. 19 October 2015. 20 October 2015.
- News: Ein MotoGP-Team weniger: Iodaracing fährt Superbike. A MotoGP team less: Iodaracing enters Superbike. Speedweek.com. Speedweek. 27 January 2016. 3 February 2016.
- Web site: motogp.com · Michelin to become MotoGP Official Tyre supplier. 27 May 2014.
- Web site: MotoGP to Adopt 17-inch Wheels in 2016 – Motorcycle USA. 9 October 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141015000115/http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/926/18674/Motorcycle-Article/MotoGP-to-Adopt-17-inch-Wheels-in-2016.aspx. 15 October 2014. dead. dmy-all.
- Web site: Everything you wanted to Know about MotoGP's 2016 unified software. Motomatters.com. David. Emmett. 8 September 2015. 19 October 2015.
- Web site: 2016 MotoGP rules clarified. Motomatters.com. David. Emmett. 3 April 2015. 19 October 2015.