Before the Aragon Grand Prix, a little more than two thirds of the way through the season, we were able to draw up a sort of first assessment of the year 2017 with Nicolas Goubert, Deputy Director, Technical Director and Supervisor of the MotoGP program, Michelin Motorsport , before considering the future…
In addition to the announcement of a project aimed at informing spectators whether drivers are using new tires or worn tires (see here), the Michelin manager in MotoGP was kind enough to answer our questions.
What is the great satisfaction for Michelin, in this second year of your return to MotoGP?
Nicolas Goubert : “The great satisfaction is seeing the satisfaction of the drivers. Last year was hectic, especially the start of the season. This year, obviously, it started better than last year but the two races in Argentina and Austin are always a little difficult, because we almost never go there. Since then, we have had a lot of positive comments with quite a few records falling and times, both in the dry but especially in the wet, which are really impressive. So yes, our greatest satisfaction is to see the drivers more and more satisfied, even if, inevitably, they are always asking for improvements. But that’s what we’re here for. »
Conversely, is there a particular point on which you want to work to improve your products?
“I would say that this is not going to be a general point on the tires, but that it is going to be an adaptation to certain circuits. I mentioned earlier the first two overseas races, Argentina and Austin, which were still a little difficult. Well I hope that we will progress next year in these two places, and we will do everything for that. Already, we can say that there has been great progress in Argentina in 2017. And fortunately! But now, we will try to progress in terms of times.
In Austin last year, it was a little tricky because it was the first time where we brought completely new architectural solutions for the drivers, following the mishaps in Argentina. There was then no time for adaptation necessary. This year, even if it went relatively well, we will say that, here too, we have a fairly significant margin for progress. So in these two places, we want to improve the times. »
Your products now seem well suited to the demands of pilots and you have a little more than a year left to refine them and break records that are not already broken. A year, or more, knowing that, for the moment, the contract that binds you with Dorna ends at the end of 2018?
“There is a desire to continue. We started talking with the organizers and things are progressing normally. For the moment, nothing has been confirmed, but we have the will to continue. And I think the organizer is happy with the show that is produced, so, as I speak to you, I don't see why it wouldn't happen. »
