• Jorge Martin (Pramac Racing) wins at the Red Bull Ring
• Jorge Martin sets a new circuit record
Rookie Jorge Martin knew how to use his MICHELIN Power Slicks tires perfectly to win his first MotoGP victory™ during the MICHELIN® Grand Prix of Styria, a 27-lap race interrupted by a red flag. Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) and Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) finished second and third respectively.
For the race, the majority of drivers opted for MICHELIN Power Slicks Medium front and rear, and this was in fact the only tire combination present on the final podium.
During Qualifying (Q2) on Saturday, the only completely dry day of the weekend, rookie Jorge Martin set a new circuit record in 1min 22s aboard his Ducati equipped with MICHELIN Power Slicks Medium front and Soft rear, improving the previous record of Marc Márquez in 994.
The Free Practice sessions on Friday were dry in the morning and wet in the afternoon. Thus, all tire options were used which helped the teams in their settings for qualifying on Saturday and for the still uncertain conditions of the race on Sunday.
Despite average temperatures during the weekend, the very specific track of Styria generates a lot of thermal in the tires, which requires a special construction for the rear slicks here in Spielberg. Less than half a second separated the top eight in Qualifying where the three front slick options were chosen along with the rear Soft by all drivers in Q2.
At the end of the race, Piero Taramasso, Michelin Motorsport Two-Wheel Manager, declared: “ The mixed conditions of the weekend offered the drivers the opportunity to test our entire Austrian allocation, both wet tires and slicks. Their feedback was extremely positive, which validates the work of the tire designers who have developed products capable of withstanding the very severe conditions of the Red Bull Ring. »
« We were all set for the first race in the rain here at the Red Bull Ring, but luckily for the spectators the conditions remained dry and the drivers were able to run the MICHELIN Power Slicks. With five different manufacturers in the top five, the versatility of the tires was demonstrated, as well as the consistency of the grip throughout the race. »
The Michelin Motorsport team will remain in Austria for the next race scheduled at the Red Bull Ring on Sunday August 15, the Bitci Motorrad Grand Prix von Österreich.
