The Japanese manufacturers have fallen a long way behind thei🌸r European counterparts, with former MotoGP champions Marc Marquez and Fabio Quartararo languishing behind the riders at the front.

MotoGP sporting director Carlos Ezpeleta has now dropped a serious hint that he will change t♎he rules to throw a lifeline to the struggling teams.

"We are♚ working hard to be able to help, not only Honda, but also Yamaha, because they can become competitive again in a faster way,” he told .

“Honda and Yamaha were considerate under♊ the concessions regulations in the past.

“It was vital because Ducati is competitive and for Suzuki to be so fast, and for KTM and Aprilia officially entering the cha⛎mpionship and being competitive. 

“The other manufacturers will also understand Dorna's official position is that the system of concessions has to u🐼pdate."

I𓆏t is true that Ducati, Suzuki, KTM and Aprilia enjoyed the benefits of ▨concessions, a range of technical advantages to help teams become competitive.

The rule brought in in 2014 gaveꦚ concessions to any team which did not achieve a dr🧸y win the season before. This included Ducati.

As Ducati’s performance improved, thei🔴r concessions were cut.

Concessions were trimmed acros🍎s the board in 2016 when mandatory 🦄use of the standard ECU was introduced.

This season, the revised format and less practi🍨ce time has made it harder for struggling teams to develop their💙 bikes.

The worry is that Honda and Yamaha could eventually follow S🐼uzuki out of the door.

Currently, the rule states that a te🎶am would only rece🍨ive concessions if they go an entire season without a grand prix podium.

Honda h𒅌ave won a race this year, thr💝ough Alex Rins, at COTA.

But how would Ducati and co react to the suggestion of ღtweaking the rules to aid the🔥ir rivals?

🍷We don’t yet know, but Ezpeleta’s words are a clear concern for the European teams and a boost for the Japanese.