With the Australian MotoGP on the horizon, the spotlight is squarely on Michelin as they gear up for the newly revamped Phillip Island. Self-reinforced compounds for the rear tire and asymmetrical constructions are prepared to face them: Michelin’s unique strategies are ready. there is still much uncertainty as to weather conditions and the state of the tracks which can threaten to affect race schedules. However, for the upcoming weekend and depending on how it will turn, both riders and tires will be pushed to their maximums by Michelin’s solutions.
Tire manufacturers of the past
Tire problems can result in resurfacing that have always occurred in Phillip Island, and it’s the same thing this year. An earlier resurfacing was in 2013 when drivers complained of overheating problems with the tires forcing Bridgestone to reduce the race distance by 27 laps. To do this, there was a new rule whereby all the riders had to make pit stops during the race albeit so compulsory.
Moto2 and Moto3 classes were also plagued by overheating issues with the tires provided by Dunlop, and therefore those classes’ grand prix races had to be shortened. The process of resurfacing for 2024 has similarly raised similar concerns with tire supplier Pirelli to WorldSBK. In the first round of the WorldSBK season held in February, Pirelli was forced to shorten race distances and employ force stoppage of the race for mandatory pit stop sake of the safety of the riders.
Michelin’s Challenge for the Australian MotoGP
This weekend, Michelin will be in a similar boat as it prepares to step up to grasp tire solutions for the Australian MotoGP. Michelin is starting the weekend without knowledge of how this new tarmac will behave as no practice was possible before upgrading the track’s surface. The French company has over-prepared, bringing three different rear tire compounds onto the circuit as it can be unpredictable. To improve performance and safety, Michelin will introduce reinforced Medium and Hard rear tire compounds for the Australian MotoGP. These compounds are meant to endure high temperatures and necessary mechanical challenges of Phillip Island which has since been revamped.
Customised tyre solutions for Phillip Island
For the front tires, Michelin is sticking with the same compounds used in the 2023 season. Soft, Medium, and Hard. However, the rear tire options available will differ slightly from the standard selection. Apart from diversification of the Soft compound, the development of two new options: Medium and Hard with stiffening internal structure are being offered.
These were previously tested with success at the Mandalika circuit in Indonesia which made them durable in extreme conditions. Due to the characteristics of the track, Phillip Island, and the load applied to the left side of the tires, Asymmetrical front and rear tires have also become required by Michelin. This design is already used at circuits like Sachsenring and Valencia and also requires additional reinforcement on the left side to bear cornering force at Phillip Island.
Conclusion
With the Australian MotoGP on the horizon, the spotlight is squarely on Michelin as they gear up for the newly revamped Phillip Island. Self-reinforced compounds for the rear tire and asymmetrical constructions are prepared to face them: Michelin’s unique strategies are ready. there is still much uncertainty as to weather conditions and the state of the tracks which can threaten to affect race schedules. However, for the upcoming weekend and depending on how it will turn, both riders and tires will be pushed to their maximums by Michelin’s solutions.
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