When an organization like a MotoGP championship suddenly stops, it is not easy to get it moving again. Because all its cogs must come unstuck and as they are interdependent, they must be in unison. None can be missing. Thus, Dorna launched the procedure for resuming activities by asking the stables to choose their people carefully for a trip to be determined. The season would therefore soon be launched. The men are available, the motorcycles ready to roar. But what about the tires? Michelin responds…
The paddock this time seems to have a well-identified goal and is putting itself in battle order to march in close ranks towards the start of the season hoped for by this email from theIRTA, asking select staff for a still mysterious journey. A good omen, no doubt. The motorcycles are ready, but to ride, they need tires. However, the single manufacturer Michelin warns that its factories are at a standstill. Production units have even been adapted to the current crisis by producing different types of protective masks…
Michelin will he be the missing link destroying all hope of getting back on track? On GP One, Piero Taramasso, responsible for the brand at Bibendum in the competition responds: “ factories in France, as in other countries, are closed, there is very little activity, we are at less than 10% of normal capacity » he explains, specifying: “ we have started a partial reconversion, for a month now, in Clermont-Ferrand for the production of masks and we are able to produce 400 per week of the disposable type. Then we have another type, which was designed and developed by Michelin, reusable about 000 times by changing a filter, these will be distributed to employees, as well as nurses, doctors and all staff who work on this emergency. Part of the MotoGP team is also involved in this project. »
There are therefore priorities, which are entirely logical in the current context. But how, then, can we produce tires for the Grand Prix which would mark the launch of the 2020 season? Especially since we have, for the moment, neither the date nor the place. Two essential parameters for Michelin: “ we only have tires for 2 Grand Prix races. It takes a month to produce what we need for a race weekend " Explain Taramasso : " we manufacture specific tires for each circuit. It is not possible to produce them all at the beginning of the year. We are talking about 1 tires between slick and wet. A precise timetable as soon as possible would certainly help us. »
However, we are still in the dark on this point. And then it's not just a problem of date. It’s also a question of weather conditions at a specific time of year: “ racing on a certain circuit in June rather than November makes a big difference. Different compounds would be needed for certain temperatures. Not with the tires we have in stock. »
However, Piero Taramasso doesn't want to seem like the killjoy. He reassures: “ we shouldn't have any problems for the first two races, that's why we need some information on the calendar. And the simulations will help us choose the right tires for the postponed races. » We breathe…
