The season was marred by the death of Luis Salom during a free practice session, at the Catalan Grand Prix.
[1] Johann Zarco started the season as the defending World Champion, having secured his first championship title at the 2015 Japanese Grand Prix.
[2] With victory at the Malaysian Grand Prix – his sixth of the 2016 season – Zarco was able to retain his title,[3] amassing an unassailable points lead ahead of the final round in Valencia.
[5] Zarco completed the season with victory in Valencia,[6] as he won the championship by an eventual margin of 42 points.
[11] The constructors' championship went to Kalex with a maximum score of 450 points, with a 34-race winning streak at the conclusion of the season – a run stretching back to a Speed Up victory for Lowes at the 2015 Motorcycle Grand Prix of the Americas.