Michelin is back closer to its bases. The 2017 MotoGP™ World Championship completed a three-race overseas tour before entering the European portion of the season with the Gran Premio Red Bull de España in Jerez, Spain.
Michelin and the whole of MotoGP experienced different conditions during the events in Qatar, Argentina and America, and are hoping for a calmer weekend in terms of weather for the first race in Europe. Jerez is one of the most popular Grands Prix on the calendar with more than 250 spectators expected over the three days. It's a carnival weekend with thousands of fans roaming the streets of surrounding towns like Jerez de la Frontera and El Puerto de Santa Maria. The region is renowned for its sherry and a huge crowd is expected in the stands and on the hills around the Andalusian circuit to provide a colorful and electric atmosphere for this event.
The 4,423 km circuit offered memorable races due to its atypical profile with steep turns, hard braking and fast curves. The surface offers little grip, Michelin therefore offers tires with optimum performance for these conditions, which must also absorb the undulations of the track and give drivers the confidence necessary to express their full potential.
Michelin offers front slicks in soft, medium and hard, and rear MICHELIN Power Slicks also in soft (symmetrical), medium (asymmetrical and a right side plus) and hard (symmetrical). Front and rear tires are identifiable by a white stripe (soft), without stripe (medium) and a yellow stripe (hard). In case of rainy weather, the front and rear MICHELIN Power Rain tires are available in soft (blue stripe) and medium (without stripe).
Michelin and its partners will be on track on Friday for two free practice sessions, followed by a third the following morning. Qualifying is scheduled for Saturday afternoon and will decide the starting grid for the 27-lap race on Sunday, which will start at 14 p.m.
Piero Taramasso – Two-wheel Manager, Michelin Motorsport:
“After all these overseas races, it is good to start the European season, closer to our bases, which is also easier logistically. Jerez is a circuit where we aim to progress this season. It's a circuit with little grip, a lot of directional changes and quite narrow. The great diversity of curves requires a very versatile tire, capable of offering good performance both in slow and very fast corners, and in flat and other steep curves. It is a very technical circuit. We have a range of tires that has evolved and on Monday, for the test day, we will offer new options, as well as existing alternative products, in order to compare them with the tires that make up our current range. Jerez is an exciting race that has had some epic battles. A wonderful place to start in Europe this season. »
