We can say without really exaggerating that he is a kingmaker in MotoGP. What ? The tire. Especially under the reign of a single manufacturer. A sensitive mission since you have to satisfy everyone, in an environment where competition is so intense that every detail counts. An eraser can therefore unbalance an assembly and force engineers to review their copy. In fact, when Michelin reveals its plans for 2019, everyone is listening…
In this case, it is the voice of Piero Taramasso which is heard. Michelin will work on its 2019 range which will be submitted to MotoGP. Choices that the off-season tests in Valencia, Jerez, Sepang and Losail will determine. During this winter break, new rubber compounds are processed based on data collected during the previous season. Particularly for new circuits like that of Thailand, or when extreme weather conditions have hampered the smooth running of operations.
« We now have all the data for the whole year, this will allow us to adjust the selection for next season », Explained the Michelin boss on the ground. During the last race of the season in Valencia, the tire supplier was the center of attention after the heavy rains on Sunday: “ Last year we went to Valencia with the soft and medium. This time the track was colder but we came back with the soft and medium " said Taramasso.
The changes for next year will be Valencia, Thailand and Phillip Island, in terms of compounds only. Until March, Michelin has the possibility of modifying the annual allocation. On the eve of the first race in Qatar, all tires must be shown to the teams, until the last Grand Prix in Valencia. The work carried out during the last championship satisfied all the manufacturers. There will therefore be no major changes, and no new features in terms of the carcass, in order to facilitate work on the geometry and the chassis.
However, the only French supplier will continue to promote development and research. “ We will work on the compounds ". During the last winter tests, two new rear tires were allocated, a soft tire and a hard tire, then a very soft rain tire, manufactured with new technologies. At the front, Michelin is working on a mix halfway between medium and hard.
The 2019 challenge will be to develop new compounds and maintain a more consistent level of grip. “ We want more grip over a long period of time, so the soft rubber lasts longer ", added Piero Taramasso on Motoracing. " This is our goal and we want to set new records. At the same time, we want to work on a new tire, on a new construction which will be introduced in 2020 ».
Many drivers have complained, especially in rainy weather, of the lack of choice and the reduced number of tires available. For the moment, Michelin will not change the allocation: currently, each driver receives 10 front tires and 12 rear tires for the dry, 5 front tires and 6 rear for the wet tire. “ We need to start discussing it, drivers and teams want to get more tires. If we change anything it will be the selection for each race, but the total number of tires for the weekend will remain the same. Something could change with the rain tires ».
