MICHELIN’S TYRE WAR
Supplier plays key role in closest ever racing
otoGP’s top riders have credited control tyre supplier, Michelin for the closest racing in the premier class after yet more records were broken in Sunday’s Grand Prix. Finishing with the top three separated by only 0.27 seconds and the top ten by 11 seconds, it has become one of a handful of circuits this year where new records have been set. Michelin’s strategy of bringing soft, medium and hard compounds, front and rear, means there is something to suit every rider regardless of conditions. It’s now become commonplace for all six to be used in any given race. Michelin boss Piero Taramasso told MCN their goal from the outset three years ago was to deliver the benefits of a tyre war with none of the negatives. “This was part of the strategy when we came back to MotoGP.
MMichelin have never been in favour of a mono-brand championship because we like competitors because that helps us to develop quickly. So, we’ve tried to do something similar within MotoGP on our own.” That was reflected in Sunday’s race, where despite significant concerns from the French firm about durability due to scorching weather conditions, they were still able to deliver a close race. “The tyres have been under immense stress due to the Closest ever top ten Brno, Czech Smallest ever pole margin RedBull Ring, Austria Closest ever top15 Assen, Netherlands 4th-closest podium Buriram, Thailand very high temperatures this weekend,” revealed Taramasso. “At the test we were told the race would be wet and cooler, so decided on tyres accordingly, but it has been the opposite. The tyres performed well and despite the intense heat and the excessive spinning this caused on an abrasive track, we are happy with the overall performance” And the work the French firm are doing has been given a stamp of approval by the leading riders, with Valentino Rossi telling MCN that he’s pleased while delivering a shaded dig at their predecessors Bridgestone in the process. “Michelin have a lot of power, so it’s important they continue to work to give everyone good tyres and good quality. They have to put a lot of effort into the top championship because sometimes in the past when it’s become a single tyre series, the manufacturer has tried to save money and the quality has become worse. It’s all in the hands of Michelin, but I think they do a good job.”