Michelin concluded the last of three official pre-season tests for the MotoGP world championship last Friday at the Losail circuit in Qatar. For its return to the discipline after seven years of absence, the manufacturer has selected the tire choices for the first race of the season from March 17 to 20 on this same circuit.
After Malaysia (Sepang) and Australia (Phillip Island), the series of winter tests ended last week in Qatar (Losail).
“We selected two tires front and rear. Riders are satisfied with the performance of the rear tires. We proposed two specifications which we are validating for the first race here in Qatar,” indicated Nicolas Goubert, technical director and deputy Michelin Motorsport.
“During the three days of testing, the track conditions changed a lot. We sometimes had excessive wear on the soft version of the front tire. We need to adjust this specification a little by making it more robust to avoid this phenomenon. We did not encounter this problem with the “hard” version. It will be this same specification which will be offered to pilots in around ten days. »
Dominator of the tests in Malaysia, then relegated to fourth place in Australia, Jorge Lorenzo, reigning world champion, reaffirmed his status as favorite by setting the best time of this final test in 1.54.810. He is the only driver below the 1.55 mark.
“In addition to the best time, Jorge Lorenzo completed an interesting race simulation where he was able to string together fast and consistent laps. Many pilots also did the same. We were able to gather valuable information that we must now analyze. »
“We have around ten days left to finish our production and be ready for the first Grand Prix of the season.”
