In the Algarve, the Michelin MotoGP™ tire range demonstrates its maturity
• A new absolute record at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve signed in Q2 by Marc Márquez (Repsol Honda Team): 1'37.226
• Fifteen riders were faster in the race than the record set by Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) in 2022. Aleix Espargaró (Aprilia Racing) sets the new reference time in 1'38.872
• The Michelin range gives full satisfaction and confidence to drivers: all specifications were used during a very intense weekend
The Autódromo Internacional do Algarve, in Portimão (Portugal) hosted this weekend the inaugural round of the 2023 FIM MotoGP World Championship. It was the fifth Grand Prix organized in the Algarve in the last four seasons (two races were held there organized in 2021, a consequence of the health crisis). The topography of this hilly, fast and demanding circuit produces strong constraints for both the drivers and their horses, and the tires are heavily stressed.
After the two Friday practice sessions, which took place in moderate temperatures, wind and a few drops of rain, the sky cleared on Saturday morning to provide ideal conditions during Q1 and Q2 qualifying. “ Marc Márquez's perfect lap in 1'37.226 not only allowed him to take pole position but also to improve the reference time achieved in 0,7 in comparable conditions by 2021s "Indicates Piero Taramasso, director of Michelin's two-wheel competition. “ This is a huge gap, the new absolute track record, and proof that the tires made available to our partners perfectly correspond to expectations. I also note that we had four different manufacturers in the first five places on the starting grid, which indicates that the MICHELIN Power Slick range offers an excellent balance whatever the bike. »
A very intense Sprint race, with different tire combinations
By modifying the program for the three days of driving, the organizers have increased the attractiveness and level of sportiness of the championship. The elimination of the fourth free practice session and the establishment of the Sprint race (12 laps) on Saturday afternoon represent a particularly important moment for the drivers, where the Michelin tires allowed total expression in driving. “ For the Sprint race, riders chose different tire combinations depending on their machine settings and riding style. For 12 laps the battle was intense and the tires gave full satisfaction,” highlights Piero Taramasso.
Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) is the first winner of a Sprint race in MotoGP. He is followed by Jorge Martín (Prima Pramac Racing) and Marc Marquez.
A range of tires at the peak of maturity
The start of the race was given at 14:00 p.m. local time. A high-intensity Grand Prix, marked by the accident of Marc Márquez, who caused Miguel Oliveira (CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP™ Team) to fall two laps after the lights went out.
After taking control of the race from the second lap, Francesco Bagnaia managed his leading position until the finish line, resisting the attacks of Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing), who finished second. Third place went to Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team).
For the race, Francesco Bagnaia and Marco Bezzecchi both chose a MICHELIN Power Slick compound tire. Medium for the front as well as the rear. Maverick Viñales, for his part, was gone Hard at the front and Medium in back.
During this Grand Prix, the record for the fastest lap in the race was broken by Aleix Espargaró in 1'38.872 on the 9th lap. The previous record dated from 2022, and was set by Fabio Quartararo in 1'39.435. We will also note that Marco Bezzecchi, Maverick Viñales and Johann Zarco (Prima Pramac Racing) also flirted with this reference time in the second part of the race (17th lap), a sign that the MICHELIN Power Slick tires offer stable performance over time. , from start to finish line.
Finally, for the same number of laps, this year the race was 14 seconds shorter, or half a second per lap on average faster than in 2022.
« We have refined our range of MICHELIN Power Slick tires over the seasons, based on the structure and profile appreciated by all drivers. We have identified the most effective rubber compounds and narrowed down the range of specifications to only retain the fastest and most consistent ones. This Portuguese Grand Prix proves that this work has borne fruit and our range has today reached a remarkable level of maturity. "Concludes Piero Taramasso.
The second round of the FIM MotoGP World Championship will take place next weekend, with the Gran Premio Michelin de la República Argentina scheduled from Friday March 31 to Sunday April 2, 2023.
