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]

RoundDateGrand PrixCircuit
120 March ‡ Commercial Bank Grand Prix of QatarLosail International Circuit, Lusail
23 April Gran Premio Motul de la República Argentina
310 April Red Bull Grand Prix of the AmericasCircuit of the Americas, Austin
424 April Gran Premio Red Bull de EspañaCircuito de Jerez, Jerez de la Frontera
58 May Monster Energy Grand Prix de FranceBugatti Circuit, Le Mans
622 May Gran Premio d'Italia TIMMugello Circuit, Scarperia e San Piero
75 June Gran Premi Monster Energy de CatalunyaCircuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Montmeló
826 June Motul TT AssenTT Circuit Assen, Assen
917 July GoPro Motorrad Grand Prix DeutschlandSachsenring, Hohenstein-Ernstthal
1014 August NeroGiardini Motorrad Grand Prix von ÖsterreichRed Bull Ring, Spielberg
1121 August HJC Helmets Grand Prix České republikyBrno Circuit, Brno
124 September Octo British Grand PrixSilverstone Circuit, Silverstone
1311 SeptemberMisano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli, Misano Adriatico
14 Gran Premio Movistar de AragónMotorLand Aragón, Alcañiz
1516 October Motul Grand Prix of JapanTwin Ring Motegi, Motegi
1623 October Michelin Australian Motorcycle Grand PrixPhillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, Phillip Island
1730 October Shell Malaysia Motorcycle Grand PrixSepang International Circuit, Sepang
1813 November Gran Premio Motul de la Comunitat ValencianaCircuit Ricardo Tormo, Valencia

‡ = Night race

Calendar changes

Teams and riders

A provisional entry list was announced on 7 November 2015.[10]

TeamConstructorMotorcycleRiderRounds
Aprilia Racing Team GresiniApriliaRS-GP6 Stefan Bradl[11] All
19 Álvaro BautistaAll
Ducati TeamDucati04 Andrea Dovizioso[12] All
29 Andrea Iannone[13] 1–14, 17–18
align=center style="background:#ffcccc;"51 Michele Pirro13–14
align=center style="background:#ffcccc;"8 Héctor Barberá[14] 15–16
align=center style="background:#ccffcc;"51 Michele Pirro[15] 6, 10
Octo Pramac Yakhnich[16] Desmosedici GP159 Danilo Petrucci1, 5–18
align=center style="background:#ffcccc;"51 Michele Pirro[17] 2–4
45 Scott Redding[18] All
Avintia RacingDesmosedici GP148 Héctor Barberá1–14, 17–18
align=center style="background:#ffcccc;7 Mike Jones15–16
76 Loris Baz[19] 1–6, 9–12, 14–18
align=center style="background:#ffcccc;"51 Michele Pirro[20] 7–8
align=center style="background:#ffcccc;"12 Javier Forés[21] 13
Aspar Team MotoGP
Pull & Bear Aspar Team
50 Eugene LavertyAll
68 Yonny Hernández[22] All
Repsol Honda TeamHondaRC213V26 Dani Pedrosa[23] 1–15, 18
align=center style="background:#ffcccc;"73 Hiroshi Aoyama[24] [25] 15
align=center style="background:#ffcccc;"717
align=center style="background:#ffcccc;"69 Nicky Hayden[26] 16
93 Marc Márquez[27] All
LCR Honda35 Cal Crutchlow[28] All
Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS43 Jack Miller[29]
align=center style="background:#ffcccc;"69 Nicky Hayden[30] 14
53 Tito Rabat[31] All
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing[32] KTMRC16align=center style="background:#ccffcc;"36 Mika Kallio[33] 18
Team Suzuki EcstarSuzukiGSX-RR25 Maverick ViñalesAll
41 Aleix EspargaróAll
Movistar Yamaha MotoGPYamahaYZR-M146 Valentino Rossi[34] All
99 Jorge Lorenzo[35] All
align=center style="background:#ccffcc;"2115
Monster Yamaha Tech 338 Bradley Smith1–11, 15–18
align=center style="background:#ffcccc;"22 Alex Lowes[36] 12–14
44 Pol Espargaró[37] All
Key
Regular rider
Wildcard rider
Notes:

All the bikes used Michelin tyres.

Team changes

Rider changes

Rule changes

Results and standings

Grands Prix

RoundGrand PrixPole positionFastest lapWinning riderWinning team
1 Qatar motorcycle Grand Prix Jorge Lorenzo Jorge Lorenzo Jorge Lorenzo Movistar Yamaha MotoGP YamahaReport
2 Argentine Republic motorcycle Grand Prix Marc Márquez Marc Márquez Marc Márquez Repsol Honda Team HondaReport
3 Motorcycle Grand Prix of the Americas Marc Márquez Marc Márquez Marc Márquez Repsol Honda Team HondaReport
4 Spanish motorcycle Grand Prix Valentino Rossi Valentino Rossi Valentino Rossi Movistar Yamaha MotoGP YamahaReport
5 French motorcycle Grand Prix Jorge Lorenzo Valentino Rossi Jorge Lorenzo Movistar Yamaha MotoGP YamahaReport
6 Italian motorcycle Grand Prix Valentino Rossi Andrea Iannone Jorge Lorenzo Movistar Yamaha MotoGP YamahaReport
7 Catalan motorcycle Grand Prix Marc Márquez Maverick Viñales Valentino Rossi Movistar Yamaha MotoGP YamahaReport
8 Dutch TT Danilo Petrucci Jack Miller HondaReport
9 German motorcycle Grand Prix Marc Márquez Cal Crutchlow Marc Márquez Repsol Honda Team HondaReport
10 Austrian motorcycle Grand Prix Andrea Iannone Andrea Iannone Andrea Iannone Ducati Team DucatiReport
11 Czech Republic motorcycle Grand Prix Marc Márquez Cal Crutchlow Cal Crutchlow LCR Honda HondaReport
12 British motorcycle Grand Prix Cal Crutchlow Maverick Viñales Maverick Viñales Team Suzuki Ecstar SuzukiReport
13 Jorge Lorenzo Dani Pedrosa Dani Pedrosa Repsol Honda Team HondaReport
14 Aragon motorcycle Grand Prix Marc Márquez Marc Márquez Marc Márquez Repsol Honda Team HondaReport
15 Japanese motorcycle Grand Prix Valentino Rossi Marc Márquez Marc Márquez Repsol Honda Team HondaReport
16 Australian motorcycle Grand Prix Marc Márquez Cal Crutchlow Cal Crutchlow LCR Honda HondaReport
17 Malaysian motorcycle Grand Prix Andrea Dovizioso Ducati Team DucatiReport
18 Valencian Community motorcycle Grand Prix Jorge Lorenzo Jorge Lorenzo Jorge Lorenzo Movistar Yamaha MotoGP YamahaReport

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 
Points252016131110987654321
PosRiderBikeTeamQAT
ARG
AME
SPA
FRA
ITA
CAT
NED
GER
AUT
CZE
GBR
RSM
ARA
JPN
AUS
MAL
VAL
Pts
1 Marc MárquezHondaRepsol Honda Team3113132221534411Ret112298
2 Valentino RossiYamahaMovistar Yamaha MotoGP42Ret12Ret1Ret842323Ret224249
3 Jorge LorenzoYamahaMovistar Yamaha MotoGP1Ret2211Ret1015317832Ret631233
4 Maverick ViñalesSuzukiTeam Suzuki Ecstar6Ret46364912691543365202
5 Andrea DoviziosoDucatiDucati Team213RetRetRet57Ret32Ret66112417171
6 Dani PedrosaHondaRepsol Honda Team53Ret4443126712516WDRet155
7 Cal CrutchlowHondaLCR HondaRetRet1611Ret116Ret215128551RetRet141
8 Pol EspargaróYamahaMonster Yamaha Tech 3767851554Ret1013DNS986596134
9 Andrea IannoneDucatiDucati TeamRetRet37Ret3Ret5518RetWDWDRet3112
10 Héctor BarberáDucatiAvintia Racing959108121169DSQ5141313411102
Ducati Team17Ret
11 Aleix EspargaróSuzukiTeam Suzuki Ecstar11115569RetRet14RetRet7Ret74Ret13893
12 Álvaro BautistaApriliaAprilia Racing Team Gresini131011Ret9Ret8Ret1016161010971271082
13 Eugene LavertyDucatiPull & Bear Aspar Team124129111313711186121414Ret14121677
14 Danilo PetrucciDucatiOcto Pramac YakhnichDNS789RetRet1179111789101275
15 Scott ReddingDucatiOcto Pramac Yakhnich10Ret619RetRet163481517151997151474
16 Stefan BradlApriliaAprilia Racing Team GresiniRet710141014128DNS1914Ret12101011171363
17 Bradley SmithYamahaMonster Yamaha Tech 3881712Ret7Ret13139Ret13814962
18 Jack MillerHondaEstrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS14RetDNS17RetRet1017DNS16DNSRet1081557
19 Michele PirroDucatiOcto Pramac Yakhnich1281636
Ducati Team1012712
Avintia Racing15Ret
20 Loris BazDucatiAvintia RacingRetRet151312Ret17134DNS1816Ret51835
21 Tito RabatHondaEstrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS1591318RetDNS14111614101517Ret1416181729
22 Yonny HernándezDucatiPull & Bear Aspar TeamRetRet1415Ret1617Ret1817111116161213RetRet20
23Yamaha115
24 Alex LowesYamahaMonster Yamaha Tech 313RetDNS3
25 Hiroshi AoyamaHondaRepsol Honda Team15161
26 Nicky HaydenHondaEstrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS151
Repsol Honda Team17
27 Mike JonesDucatiAvintia Racing18151
Mika KallioKTMRed Bull KTM Factory RacingRet0
Javier ForésDucatiAvintia RacingRet0
PosRiderBikeTeamQAT
ARG
AME
SPA
FRA
ITA
CAT
NED
GER
AUT
CZE
GBR
RSM
ARA
JPN
AUS
MAL
VAL
Pts
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.

PosConstructorQAT
ARG
AME
SPA
FRA
ITA
CAT
NED
GER
AUT
CZE
GBR
RSM
ARA
JPN
AUS
MAL
VAL
Pts
1 Honda311342211512111182369
2122111148323226221353
3 Ducati2437737331466112413261
4 Suzuki61145364912691543365208
5 Aprilia13710149148810161410109711710101
KTMRet0
PosConstructorQAT
ARG
AME
SPA
FRA
ITA
CAT
NED
GER
AUT
CZE
GBR
RSM
ARA
JPN
AUS
MAL
VAL
Pts

Teams' standings

The teams' standings were based on results obtained by regular and substitute riders; wild-card entries were ineligible.

PosTeamBike
No.
QAT
ARG
AME
SPA
FRA
ITA
CAT
NED
GER
AUT
CZE
GBR
RSM
ARA
JPN
AUS
MAL
VAL
Pts
1 Movistar Yamaha MotoGP4642Ret12Ret1Ret842323Ret224482
991Ret2211Ret1015317832Ret631
2 Repsol Honda Team716454
2653Ret4443126712516WDRet
6917
7315
933113132221534411Ret112
3 Ducati Team04213RetRetRet57Ret32Ret66112417296
817Ret
29RetRet37Ret3Ret5518RetWDWDRet3
51712
4 Team Suzuki Ecstar256Ret46364912691543365295
4111115569RetRet14RetRet7Ret74Ret138
5 Monster Yamaha Tech 32213RetDNS199
38881712Ret7Ret13139Ret138149
44767851554Ret1013DNS986596
6 Octo Pramac Yakhnich9DNS789RetRet11791117891012161
4510Ret619RetRet1634815171519971514
5112816
7 Aprilia Racing Team Gresini6Ret710141014128DNS1914Ret121010111713145
19131011Ret9Ret8Ret10161610109712710
8 LCR Honda35RetRet1611Ret116Ret215128551RetRet141
9 Avintia Racing71815139
8959108121169DSQ5141313411
12Ret
5115Ret
76RetRet151312Ret17134DNS1816Ret518
10 Pull & Bear Aspar Team50124129111313711186121414Ret14121697
68RetRet1415Ret1617Ret1817111116161213RetRet
114314RetDNS17RetRet1017DNS16DNSRet1081587
531591318RetDNS14111614101517Ret14161817
6915
PosTeamBike
No.
QAT
ARG
AME
SPA
FRA
ITA
CAT
NED
GER
AUT
CZE
GBR
RSM
ARA
JPN
AUS
MAL
VAL
Pts

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: 8 November 2015. Jorge Lorenzo wins third MotoGP title with victory in Valencia GP finale. The Guardian. Associated Press. 16 October 2016.
  2. News: 16 October 2016. Never say never: Marquez takes the crown in Motegi drama. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports. 16 October 2016.
  3. News: 16 October 2016. MM93: "I paid a high price last year – but I learnt from it". MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports. 16 October 2016.
  4. 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..
  5. 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..
  6. News: 2016 MotoGP Calendar confirmed. 11 February 2016. 30 June 2016. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports.
  7. 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.
  8. Web site: 2016 World Motorcycle Championship. 12 June 2017. Motorsportmagazine.com. 21 June 2018.
  9. News: MotoGP Will Not Return to IMS in 2016. 11 September 2015. 11 September 2015.
  10. News: 2016 MotoGP provisional entry list. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports. 7 November 2015. 7 November 2015.
  11. News: Aprilia signs Bradl for 2016, Lowes for 2017. 22 September 2015. 22 September 2015. crash.net. crash.net.
  12. News: Andrea Dovizioso signs new Ducati MotoGP contract. 19 July 2014. 15 September 2014. Crash.net. Crash Media Group.
  13. News: Miller Moves To Marc VDS – 2016 MotoGP Grid Now Nearly Complete. 15 October 2015. 15 October 2015. MotoMatters.com. David Emmett.
  14. News: Barbera in for Iannone, Mike Jones debuts at Avintia. 13 October 2016. 13 October 2016. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports.
  15. 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.
  16. 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.
  17. News: Ducati test rider Pirro to replace injured Petrucci in MotoGP. 23 March 2016. 22 May 2016. Autosport. Haymarket Publications.
  18. News: Redding joins Octo Pramac Racing for 2016. 30 August 2015. 30 August 2015. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports.
  19. News: Loris Baz joins Avintia for 2016. 27 September 2015. 27 September 2015. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports.
  20. News: Pirro to replace Loris Baz in Barcelona. 27 May 2016. 5 June 2016. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports.
  21. 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..
  22. News: Aspar Team and Yonny Hernandez together in 2016. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports. 30 September 2015. 30 September 2015.
  23. News: Honda Racing Corporation sign Pedrosa until end of 2016. 9 July 2014. 9 July 2014. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports.
  24. News: Pedrosa breaks collarbone, Aoyama to ride at Motegi. 14 October 2016. 14 October 2016. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports.
  25. Web site: Shell Malaysia Motorcycle Grand Prix - MotoGP Entry List. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports. 27 October 2016. 27 October 2016.
  26. News: Honda MotoGP team calls up Nicky Hayden to replace injured Pedrosa. Mitchell. Adam. 18 October 2016. 18 October 2016. Autosport. Haymarket Publications.
  27. News: Honda Racing Corporation renew with Marc Marquez until end of 2016. 14 May 2014. 14 May 2014. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports.
  28. News: Crutchlow renews deal with LCR Honda Team. 26 August 2015. 30 August 2015. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports.
  29. News: Miller joins Marc VDS Racing for 2016. 15 October 2015. 15 October 2015. speedcafe.com.
  30. News: Nicky Hayden MotoGP return confirmed. 19 September 2016. 19 September 2016. Motorsport.com. Motorsport Network. Andrew. van Leeuwen.
  31. News: Official: Tito Rabat to MotoGP with Marc VDS. 1 October 2015. 1 October 2015. Crash.net. Crash Media Group.
  32. News: Kallio confirms KTM MotoGP race debut in Valencia. 20 July 2016. 6 September 2016. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports.
  33. 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.
  34. News: Yamaha and Valentino Rossi set to continue with two-year contract extension. 2 July 2014. 2 July 2014. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports.
  35. News: Yamaha and Lorenzo confirm new two-year agreement. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports. 7 August 2014. 2 December 2014.
  36. News: Smith out for Silverstone and Misano - Lowes to step in. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports. 29 August 2016. 29 August 2016.
  37. 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.
  38. Web site: Crash.net. Crash Media Group. Forward Racing confirms MotoGP exit. 19 October 2015. 20 October 2015.
  39. News: Ein MotoGP-Team weniger: Iodaracing fährt Superbike. A MotoGP team less: Iodaracing enters Superbike. Speedweek.com. Speedweek. 27 January 2016. 3 February 2016.
  40. Web site: motogp.com · Michelin to become MotoGP Official Tyre supplier. 27 May 2014.
  41. 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.
  42. Web site: Everything you wanted to Know about MotoGP's 2016 unified software. Motomatters.com. David. Emmett. 8 September 2015. 19 October 2015.
  43. Web site: 2016 MotoGP rules clarified. Motomatters.com. David. Emmett. 3 April 2015. 19 October 2015.