This is the third European country in four weeks for Michelin, while MotoGPTM heads to Italy and the stunning Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello for the sixth round of the World Championship, the Gran Premio d'Italia Oakley.
After an excellent start to the season, Michelin intends to maintain the same pace for its return to one of the most picturesque circuits on the calendar. Nestled in the hollow of the Tuscan hills, Mugello is a 5,245 km long circuit, clockwise, with 15 turns – 6 on the left, 9 on the right – unevenness, rapid curves and sequences, tight bends and a straight where drivers reach more than 350 km/h. This complex circuit is one of the fastest and most demanding of the season, a track where the MICHELIN Power Slicks will have to withstand intense braking zones, strong accelerations and sloping curves, plus a medium abrasive surface, all of these characteristics which require very specific tire capabilities. The soft, medium and hard slicks available to all drivers feature new rear rubber technology – this will be the case for the rest of the season. These rear tires also feature an asymmetrical design with a harder right side to tackle the 9 corners on that side, the front tires are symmetrical.
Despite the magnificent setting which makes Mugello one of the most popular events of the season for drivers and numerous fans, the Tuscan circuit can also be drenched by heavy rain. MICHELIN Power Rain tires are available in soft and medium, the rears being asymmetrical, like slicks, with a harder right side, while the fronts are symmetrical.
Michelin will attack the splendors and difficulties of Mugello on Friday May 31 with two free practice sessions, before another session then qualifying on Saturday where the drivers will push their tires to the limits on a qualifying lap in order to be the best placed possible on the starting grid for this 23-lap Grand Prix, the start of which will be given on Sunday June 2 at 14:00 p.m.
Piero Taramasso – Michelin Motorsport Two-Wheel Manager:
“Mugello is a special track in the season. The circuit is both magnificent and very demanding. The tires are really in heavy demand throughout the weekend and we have to select a range that covers all eventualities. Mornings can be cold before the sun rises over the hills and warms the asphalt. It can then be very hot. The route offers different features ranging from very hard braking zones to very high top speeds. Our tire allocation must therefore meet all these constraints of stability, consistency and grip, to which the new technology has already responded positively. We look forward to taking on the challenge of Mugello.”
