• Exceptional performance of Michelin tires on the Chang International Circuit. Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) wins the Tissot Sprint, the Grand Prix, and sets the new absolute track record in 1'29''287. Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) recorded the fastest lap of the race in 1'29.896.
• The MICHELIN Power Slick ranges allowed the drivers to give their all until the finish line, with less than three tenths of a second between the first three.
• Great popular success of this 17th round of the 2023 MotoGP World Championship, which brought together nearly 180 spectators in three days.
The fourth MotoGP Grand Prix held in Thailand kept all its promises in terms of attendance, spectacle and sportsmanship. Located in a gigantic complex also including a football stadium and a drag strip, this circuit calibrated for 100 spectators was largely occupied by fans throughout the weekend. There were more than 000 for practice on Friday, more than 41 for qualifying and the Tissot Sprint on Saturday, and nearly 000 this Sunday for the Grand Prix.
The riders, well known to MotoGP enthusiasts in Asia, took several crowds with their admirers. For its part, Michelin was once again able to gauge its popularity in the country, where it is not uncommon to see small figurines bearing the image of Bibendum – or even several – behind the windshield of many vehicles.
But what MotoGP fans expected above all was a spectacle on the track and they got it! After a first practice session where the riders refined the settings of their motorcycles, qualifying allowed the eight fastest to improve the pole position reference time (which dated from 2022). Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) also recorded the new absolute track record on this occasion in 1'29''287. This means that the level of performance was incredibly high, and demonstrates that the cohesion between tires and motorcycles was perfect this weekend in Thailand.
On Saturday, the Tissot Sprint had already shown the high intensity of the fights on the track, but the high point of the weekend was indeed the Grand Prix, during which an exceptional fight at the front and numerous overtakes took place.
A very high level show for the fans, and a great satisfaction for the Michelin Motorsport teams who saw, through a Homeric battle between Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing), Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), and Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Racing), the realization of their work. The three riders set a very high pace and were able to attack at 100% of the capabilities of their bikes without ever worrying about their tires. The lap times were also constant whatever the moment of the Grand Prix, and in the end the three men crossed the finish line with less than three tenths of a second apart!
« We thought the Medium compound would be the star of the weekend just as our Hard compound would be great for the Grand Prix, and that's exactly what happened »Indicates Piero Taramasso, manager of Michelin's two-wheel competition. “ What we witnessed this weekend is truly exceptional, because despite the track conditions and the heat our tires were there in every aspect of the game. Whether it was grip, traction, braking stability or wear, our rubbers were perfect. During the Tissot Sprint, the MICHELIN Power Slick Medium were chosen by almost 100% of our partners at the front and rear, even though the track surface reached 45°C (compared to 30°C in the air with clouds, and a humidity level of 60%). This extraordinary versatility is our signature in races of this type, quite short but very intense. This Sunday, however, common sense dictated the use of Hard rubber at the rear and that is what everyone did, with the exception of Alex Marquez who preferred the Medium compound. We then clearly saw that everything worked perfectly, with a historic battle for victory and a large number of position changes. I am really delighted with the spectacle offered, both for the public and for our engineers and technicians, who go to so much trouble to provide reference tires to our partners. I think this race weekend will be remembered by everyone. »
Tires adapted to the situation
The MotoGP World Championship has only been coming to Buriram since 2018, but the Michelin Motorsport teams had enough data to select the best tires for the races. Also, to respond to the configuration of this route (4,554 km long, five turns on the left, seven on the right), Michelin brought to Thailand rear tires with stiffer rubber on the right part of their tread, as well as than a reinforced structure in order to better control the thermal aspect. This technical choice, validated very early by the Michelin teams, demonstrated its relevance through the performances observed.
On Saturday afternoon, the Tissot Sprint was won by weekend pole-man Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) ahead of Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing Team).
The next day, the Grand Prix once again saw the victory of Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing), this time ahead of Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team). Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) occupies the third step of the podium.
The next and 18th round of the MotoGP World Championship will take place from November 10 to 12 at the Sepang circuit (Malaysia). It will mark the end of the Asian tour of the 2023 season, before heading to the Middle East then Europe.
