• MICHELIN Power Slick tires MotoGP
2024 brings confidence to drivers on a dirty and slippery track in Portugal, thanks to their new rubber compounds.
• In MotoGP, the record for the fastest lap in a race was set by Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) on the 21st lap out of 25. The duration of the Grand Prix was improved by more than 7 seconds compared to 2023. Miguel Oliveira (Trackhouse Racing/Aprilia) reached 252,9 Km/h for the first time on the pit straight.
Built in a hilly natural environment, the Autodromo International do Algarve is 4,6 km long with 15 turns (nine on the right and six on the left). This weekend, nearly 175 spectators attended, including more than 000 on Sunday alone. So many fans were able to admire the spectacle offered by the MotoGP but also the silent performance of the electric Ducatis in the MotoE World Championship, and in both cases their new Michelin tires.
In Portimão, temperatures were close to those observed last year at the same period. But the heavy rains that fell during the day on Thursday were loaded with sand, which then ended up on the surface of the track. The 22 MotoGP riders then spent most of the first practice session (Friday morning) cleaning the line on a ground trying to evacuate its humidity. Thanks to the confidence provided by their tires, the riders in the premier category of motorcycling were then able to work calmly on the settings of their machines.
Throughout the sessions, Michelin's partners were able to test all the available rubber compounds. A good opportunity to see that the tires brought by the French manufacturer to Portugal offered a wide spectrum of performance, regardless of the changing conditions of the asphalt. This characteristic was dominant throughout the weekend, the consistency of racing performances allowing the protagonists at the front to battle with the same intensity from the start to the finish line.
« Given the delicate weather conditions at the start of the event, grip was poor and the drivers had to fumble around to find the right set-up during the first practice session. "Indicates Piero Taramasso, manager of the Michelin Two-Wheel competition. “ But we quickly saw the times improve and the strategies refine. As we had selected versatile treads, some drivers made different choices during the Sprint race, particularly at the front. This is proof that the new rubber compounds in our treads allow our partners to try different solutions depending on the conditions and the number of laps to be covered. For the Grand Prix, it was the length of the race which dictated the selection of rubbers, with a Hard tire perfect in its role at the front, and a very versatile Medium rubber, offering equal performance over time for the wheel at the rear. Despite less favorable track conditions than last year, we were able to observe times falling and records were broken. Our tires not only provided the right performance at the right time, but also over time since the record for the fastest lap in the race was improved with just 4 laps remaining, after 21 laps of racing at a sustained pace. »
Remember that in Portugal, Michelin brought three compounds with a symmetrical tread – Soft, Medium and Hard – for the front wheel, and two choices – Soft and Medium – for the rear. Given the configuration of the circuit, the rear Soft tire was on the other hand asymmetrical, with the right shoulder harder than the left.
Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) won the Sprint race (12 laps) on Saturday afternoon ahead of Marc Márquez (Gresini Racing) and Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing).
The next day, the Grand Prix (25 laps) was won by Jorge Martin, ahead of Enea Bastianini. Third place goes to the young 19-year-old rider Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) who is participating in his first season in MotoGP and who signs his first podium with Michelin in Portugal.
Note that during this weekend, three new records were established. First that of the best lap in the race by Enea Bastianini in 1'38.685, then that of the duration of the Grand Prix, lowered by more than seven seconds to 41'18.138. The maximum speed, reached on the circuit by Miguel Oliveira, now peaks at 352,9 km/h.
The next round of the MotoGP World Championship will take place in Austin (Texas, United States), from April 12 to 14, 2024. It will be the Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas.
