• Normally placed at the end of the season, the Thailand Grand Prix opens the season this year. The weather should nevertheless correspond to that of previous years.
• Michelin Motorsport is providing a special tire package for the Chang International Circuit, consisting of a Hard front tire and rear tires with a reinforced structure.
• The perfect balance between suspension, chassis, engine and electronics will be essential to take full advantage of the grip and stability of the tires.
After the two test sessions in Sepang (Malaysia), from February 5 to 7, and Buri Ram (Thailand), on February 12 and 13, the 2025 MotoGP season officially opens next weekend at the Chang International Circuit in Buri Ram (Thailand).
Normally part of the Asia-Oceania loop of the championship, which runs between September and November, this year the Thailand Grand Prix is taking place in a completely different timeframe. However, the weather is unlikely to surprise the paddock, as it remains hot, humid and unpredictable, with the risk of sudden heavy rain.
The Buri Ram circuit will also bring its share of particularities. Located in the north of the country, nearly 500 km from Bangkok, the capital, the Chang International Circuit is very demanding, both because of the nature of its surface and its layout. Its 4,554 km includes five left turns and seven right turns, as well as two long straights, the longest of which reaches one kilometer. This profile offers extremely testing combinations for the tires, but also for the riders and the motorcycles.
Due to this special configuration, the correct setting of the traction control is fundamental to avoid excessive rear wheel slip. The more the tire slips, the more likely it is to overheat, thus reducing grip.
« February testing confirmed that the Chang International Circuit is a very demanding track, " underlines Piero Taramasso, manager of Michelin's two-wheel competition. “ Finding the right set-up is a major challenge and a key element of performance on this circuit. At Buri Ram, the asphalt is hot and the long straights generate a significant thermal load in the tyres, both at the front and rear. This is why Michelin is providing tyres with a reinforced structure, especially on the front Hard tyre and on the two rear tyres. Thanks to this special construction, the internal temperature of the tyres remains at a lower level. The tyre allocation for the Thailand GP is the same as that of the IRTA tests in February and last year. We have therefore kept the tyres that have already proven themselves on this track and, to prepare and manage the race, we are relying on the data collected at the same location in 2024. »
For the 2025 Thailand Grand Prix, Michelin's partners will have three symmetrical compounds (Soft, Medium and Hard) at their disposal for the front wheel. At the rear, they will be able to choose between two compound options, Medium or Soft, with an asymmetrical tread pattern. As mentioned above, the Hard compounds at the front and both rear tires will benefit from a stiffer internal structure.
In case of rain, Michelin will offer its MICHELIN Power Rain ranges in Soft and Medium rubber, for the front and the rear, which will also be reinforced on the right side, like the MICHELIN Power Slick.
The Thailand Grand Prix will take place from Friday 28 February with a first free practice session (10:45 – 11:30 local time). Then, the afternoon practice session (15:00 – 16:00) will allow the 10 fastest drivers to directly access the second phase of qualifying (Q2). After a final free practice session on Saturday morning (10:10 – 10:40), Q1 will allow the repechage of two additional starters in order to determine, at the end of Q2 (11:15 – 11:30), the starting grid for the weekend. The start of the Tissot Sprint race (13 laps) will be given on Saturday at 15:00, and that of the Grand Prix (26 laps) is scheduled for Sunday 2 March, again at 15:00.
