• The seventh round of the FIM World Championship
MotoGP 2026 takes place this weekend at the Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello, in Tuscany.
• An absolute benchmark in terms of technicality, the Italian circuit combines speed, elevation changes, extreme braking and high-speed changes of direction.
• Michelin is renewing a proven tire allocation to offer its partners the best balance between stability, performance and consistency on one of the most demanding tracks of the season.
The Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello is one of the most iconic venues on the FIM MotoGP World Championship calendar. Located in the heart of the Tuscan hills, just a few kilometers from Florence, it has hosted Grands Prix for nearly half a century and remains a favorite circuit for both riders and spectators. Its unspoiled natural surroundings, bordered by forests and vast green spaces, offer spectacular views and contribute to the event's unique atmosphere.
The Mugello circuit, 5,245 km long, features nine right-hand and six left-hand corners. It is particularly famous for its 1,141 km straight, one of the longest on the MotoGP calendar, where the machines reach some of the highest speeds of the season. But the Italian circuit is not just about pure speed. Its combination of fast and slow corners, demanding changes of direction, significant elevation changes, and particularly severe braking zones make it a track that is as spectacular as it is complex.
« Mugello is undoubtedly one of the most complete circuits in the championship ", Explain Piero Taramasso, manager of Michelin Motorsport's two-wheeled competition. It combines all the characteristics found in MotoGP: a very long straight, extremely hard braking zones, fast corners, tighter turns, and uphill and downhill sections. This is precisely what makes it so appealing to riders and fans alike. To perform well at Mugello, you need to be highly versatile and master all aspects of riding. The riders who shine on this circuit are generally those with the most complete riding style.
For tires, the main challenge is maintaining excellent motorcycle balance. Stability plays a crucial role because the track features numerous changes of direction, sometimes at very high speeds. The tires must offer very precise handling to keep the machine perfectly stable throughout the lap. Strong acceleration, hard braking, and particularly high top speeds generate significant stresses that demand optimal balance between the front and rear of the motorcycle.
Furthermore, even though the Mugello asphalt isn't among the most aggressive in the championship and doesn't generate the highest levels of grip, it remains essential to manage operating temperatures and tire wear. These parameters become all the more important as performance continues to improve year after year. The solutions we're introducing this season have already proven their effectiveness in previous editions of the Italian Grand Prix. They allow us to approach this event with confidence and offer our partners the best possible conditions to fully exploit the potential of their motorcycles. »
To meet the challenges of the 2026 Brembo Grand Prix of Italy, Michelin will offer its partners two tire compounds (Soft and Medium) for the front wheel. These symmetrical tires feature specifications that have proven their effectiveness on this circuit in previous seasons.
At the rear, the riders will also have two compounds available (Soft and Medium). Due to the increased number of right-hand corners, the rear tires will be asymmetrical and will benefit from specific reinforcement on their right shoulder to better withstand the demands of the Tuscan circuit.
In case of rain, Michelin will supply its MICHELIN Power Rain range in Soft and Medium tires for both the front and rear, with profiles adapted to the characteristics of the circuit.
Michelin Mugello MotoGP
The weekend program
The on-track action will begin on Friday, May 29th at 10:45 AM (local time) with Free Practice 1 (45 minutes). Practice will follow at 15:00 PM for a one-hour session, at the end of which the ten fastest drivers will advance directly to Q2.
On Saturday, May 30, after Free Practice 2, qualifying will take place between 10:50 and 11:30. The two best drivers from Q1 will join the ten direct qualifiers to participate in Q2 and determine the weekend's starting grid.
The Tissot Sprint (11 laps) will start on Saturday at 15:00 PM.
The start of the Brembo Grand Prix of Italy 2026 (23 laps) will be given on Sunday, May 31 at 14:00 PM.