Contrary to popular belief, Michelin has decided to be transparent for its return to MotoGP. This results not only in very detailed press releases, like his predecessor, but also in a certain openness towards journalists.
This has just gone up a notch with debriefings in front of the press from Aragon. And if that wasn't enough, we have the opportunity to interview Nicolas Goubert, Deputy Director, Technical Director and Supervisor of the Michelin Motorsport MotoGP program, as we do regularly.
And in our last interview (see the start here), the latter did not hide from us that Phillip Island remained a big question mark by explaining to us the reasons:
Paddock-GP: In future races, does Phillip Island present a question mark?
Nicolas Goubert: “Phillip Island is always one because it is the biggest challenge of the year for manufacturers. We did very good tests there in February/March, and we were very happy, but following the modifications that we had to make after Argentina, we are not going to arrive with the tire models that we had tested and believed to have been finalized. So that remains a question mark.”
Michelin is therefore bringing new tires, never tested in Australia, to a circuit which had already given its predecessor a lot of trouble. We obviously remember the 2013 edition which was a real disaster for the Japanese manufacturer, but the following season, despite a new asymmetrical front tire, was also far from perfect with the falls of Marc Marquez, Pol Espargaro and Cal Crutchlow braking the famous Honda corner.
In short, the Australian cauldron whose spicy soup is made up of the following ingredients, often low temperatures, imbalance between the 5 turns on the right and the 7 on the left, recent abrasive coating, layout all in fluid curves generating both the average speed and the highest tire temperatures of the season, represents THE challenge of the year for any manufacturer, including Michelin!
Bibendum’s response?
The front tires soft (white band) and hard (yellow band) have a asymmetrical construction with reinforced left side. A medium (without tape) is also available.
At theback, two new tires are offered in medium (without stripe) and hard (yellow stripe). Both are asymmetrical with also a reinforced left shoulder.
We reproduce the official press release below.
MICHELIN IN AUSTRALIA FOR ITS OWN GRAND PRIX!
Michelin crosses the equator for the 16e round of the MotoGP World ChampionshipTM on the Phillip Island circuit, the southernmost race of the season for which Michelin is title sponsor this year.
The Michelin®Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix. This is the very first time that the French tire manufacturer has been title sponsor of a race and Phillip Island is certainly a circuit that will push MotoGP tires to their limits. 4,448 km long, this circuit is fast and really difficult for the tires. Michelin has therefore developed new products specifically for this route and its surface. Thanks to information gathered during very positive tests carried out at the start of the year, Michelin is offering a range of three front and two rear slicks. The front MICHELIN Power Slicks are available in soft (white stripe), medium (without stripe) and hard (yellow stripe). To cope with the difficulties of this circuit and in particular its long, fast curves for which it is renowned, the soft and hard versions have an asymmetrical construction with a reinforced left side. At the rear, two new tires are offered in Australia, available in medium (without stripe) and hard (yellow stripe). Both are asymmetrical with also a reinforced left shoulder.
Phillip Island often experiences four seasons in one day. The versatile weather, which can go from hot sun to cold rain in a very short time, plays a very important role in the race. To cover all conditions, Michelin has supplied three front and two rear rain tires. The front MICHELIN Power Rain are available in extra soft (light blue stripe), soft (blue stripe) and medium (without stripe), and the rear ones in soft (blue stripe) and medium (without marking). The MICHELIN Power Inter (silver stripe) could also be widely used to offer drivers the best performance on a drying track.
The Phillip Island circuit is one of the fastest in the world and perhaps the most picturesque. Located near Melbourne, in the state of Victoria, it magnificently overlooks the Pacific Ocean. The fast curves, the drop and the straights give the impression that the riders are going to dive into the sea. Phillip Island is an unmissable event on the MotoGP calendar, riders and fans love it. This fast and difficult circuit offers the most exciting races of the season. Michelin is proud to be associated with this event.
Michelin and the MotoGP paddock will take to the track on Friday October 21 for the first two free practice sessions, with qualifying scheduled for the following day. They will decide the starting grid for this 27-lap long race. The green light will be given on Sunday at 16:00 p.m. local time (7:00 a.m. French time).
Piero Taramasso – Michelin Motorsport Two-Wheel Manager:
“Phillip Island is a truly special circuit, there is no track like it on the calendar and this year the event will have a special connotation as it is the first time Michelin has sponsored a MotoGP race. The Asia-Pacific market is very important for Michelin and one of Michelin Motorsport's missions is to support the development of the business side. The partnership with this race is therefore very important for the marketing department of this region and also gives us the opportunity to prove our true commitment to the largest motorcycle championship in the world. Michelin sponsor of the event, we will inevitably be in the spotlight as our task promises to be very difficult this weekend. This is one of the most demanding circuits of the season for tires and we had to develop a specific tire. Without any racing information from the previous seven years, we have little usable data. But the tests carried out here at the start of the year were very positive – despite the rain – and we were able to collect valuable data from all the drivers and teams. We have designed a tire that we think is best suited. This is a brand new eraser. You could even call it the “Phillip Island tire” because it won’t be used elsewhere. The Phillip Island circuit is very abrasive; we took this into account in the design of the tire, as well as the fast curves. The front tire is asymmetrical to give the best grip to drivers on this track. »
