A week after the Michelin Grand Prix of Argentina, and just six months after their last visit to the Circuit of The Americas, the Michelin team and the MotoGP paddock™ are returning to Austin, Texas, for the Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas.
With its 11 right turns and 9 left turns, the Circuit of The Americas is counterclockwise. Certain parts of the route were inspired by sections of iconic circuits, such as Hockenheim, Silverstone, Interlagos or Österreichring. These turns, as well as the 40m difference in altitude leading to Turn 1, not forgetting a long straight line of 1200m make this circuit very demanding. This is one of the biggest challenges of the year for Michelin drivers, machines and tires.
Since the last race here, work has been carried out on certain sections to eliminate the famous bumps which fueled all the discussions among the drivers. These improvements could lead to faster laps in 2022.
Another difference compared to last year is the temperatures. At the end of September, the average is 30°C. In April, average temperatures should be around 25°C.
The MICHELIN Power Slicks tire allocation for CoTA was selected to meet the demands that this circuit offers at each lap, including the abrasiveness of the track. Offered in Soft, Medium and Hard, the three front tires are symmetrical while the three rear options are asymmetrical with a harder right side to withstand the forces generated by more right turns.
Even though it rarely rains here, downpours can still occur. The MICHELIN Power Rain are designed to give riders confidence and allow them to push to the limits on wet surfaces. They are offered in Soft and Medium for the front and rear, with the rears being asymmetrical with a harder right side, like slicks.
About CoTA, Piero Taramasso, Michelin Motorsport Two-Wheel Manager, said: “ These two consecutive races at Termas de Rio Hondo and Austin are a logistical challenge for our team, but we are always very happy to cross the Atlantic to offer the best show to these very enthusiastic fans. »
« We know that since our last visit work has been carried out to reduce the bumps which caused so many problems for pilots. We're waiting to see if it worked and we'll judge the effect on the grip level. I am confident that our allocation for CoTA 2022 will provide drivers with everything they need to push to the limits and fight for victory. »
The action will begin on Friday April 8 with the first two Free Practice sessions, followed by two more then Qualifications 1 and 2 on Saturday. The lights will turn green on Sunday April 10 at 13:00 p.m. local time (20:00 p.m. French time) for this 20-lap race.
