For this last MotoGP™ in a series of three consecutive after Aragón and Motegi, the Michelin Motorsport team and the rest of the MotoGP paddock join the Chang International Circuit in Buriram, Thailand, which hosts the OR Thailand Grand Prix.
Organized in the Isan region, in the northeast of Thailand, approximately 480 km from the capital Bangkok, the race takes place in the so-called cold season. But with temperatures over 30°C, it's not quite the same cool as that experienced elsewhere on the MotoGP calendar.
The OR Thailand GP is the 17th round of the 2022 season and is MotoGP's first visit to Buriram since 2019 due to the pandemic. This Grand Prix taking place before two other rounds in Asia-Pacific, Australia and Malaysia, it is a very busy period in terms of logistics and Michelin has already dispatched its tire allocations by air and sea freight for these Overseas events. Michelin tires travel in containers at a constant temperature so that they can arrive on the circuits in optimal conditions of use.
4,554 km long, the Buriram circuit is well balanced with five left turns and seven right turns. It also has two straight lines, the longest measuring 1 km. With a capacity of 100 spectators, this modern complex offers a fantastic view of the track for fans.
The high temperatures and the fast profile of the track place demands on the architecture of the rear tire which must combat the thermal effect. The rear tires therefore have a different construction to that used on other circuits this season, apart from the Red Bull Ring in Austria. Indeed, these two circuits have similar configurations and this specific architecture makes it possible to control high temperatures and offer drivers the stability and confidence they need. The MICHELIN Power Slicks rear Soft and Medium are asymmetrical with a harder right side, while the rear Hard is symmetrical. The three front MICHELIN Power Slicks tires are symmetrical and the compounds have been selected based on data collected during races and tests previously carried out on the Thai circuit.
Between the end of August and mid-October, it is the rainy season in this region, so the risk of precipitation is significant. The MICHELIN Power Rain range could therefore be included. A Soft and a Medium for the front and rear are offered. The fronts and rear Medium are symmetrical, while the rear Soft is asymmetrical with a harder right side.
Piero Taramasso, Michelin Motorsport Two-Wheel Manager: “ This is our 4th visit to Buriram, including a test. We therefore had a good database to select our tire allocation. But our last race here was in 2019, so it will be interesting to see if the grip level of the asphalt has changed. The Michelin Motorsport team as well as the other MotoGP teams will be looking forward to the first Free Practice session of the weekend. »
« As we have often mentioned, it is a very harsh track for the rear tires because it generates a lot of thermal. For this reason, our allocation incorporates a specific construction, which is also used in Austria. There have always been a lot of spectators in Buriram since the arrival of MotoGP in 2018, and the local fans are truly passionate. I'm sure it will be the same this year, especially after this long break, and we will do everything to give them a great show and a memorable weekend. »
The action will begin with two Free Practice sessions on Friday September 30. Two more will follow on Saturday, as well as qualifying which will establish the starting grid. The race, 26 laps long, will start on Sunday at 14:00 p.m. local time (9:00 a.m. French time).
