Between the Phillip Island layout and the tires, it's a complicated story which has led to a review of the nature of the competitions. MotoGP had to, in 2013, implement a tire change during the race, during the Bridgestone era. For this weekend, which marks the launch of the Superbike and Supersport season in Australia, it is Pirelli which imposes a passage through the box in a race which will also be cut by two laps. Explanation.
You have to know that when you are a tire, you fear more than anything going to Phillip Island… Fast curves, abrasive asphalt and occasionally high temperatures torture the rubber excessively. However, this is exactly what we will have to face Pirelli, sole supplier of the paddock, from this weekend in Australia.
A difficulty that the Italian manufacturer wants to tackle all the less head on as it tackles it with new tires. Pirelli race director George Barbier explains the situation speedweek : " our [Supersport] tire is a new development, I don't want to take any risks in the first race “, declared the Italian. “ There are a lot of new riders and riders on other bikes. I know the best ones can handle the tires, but not all. The two days of testing on Phillip Island are not enough to know everything about the new slicks. I don't trust previous knowledge and prefer to send all tires to the laboratory with more than ten laps and have them examined in detail. Then we will get a clear picture of future developments. »
Pirelli agreed with the promoter Dorna and END that, in Sunday's race, each driver will have to respect a pit stop and a rear tire change. The race distance will also be reduced from 18 to 16 laps.
Each driver must report to the box no later than the tenth lap. If racing in the rain, no tire change will be required. A situation which is, however, not unprecedented. It will be recalled that this rule is in place for the third consecutive year. Drivers who do not respect it will be disqualified by receiving a black flag.
We will remember that Bridgestone also had to experience this type of arrangement as sole manufacturer of MotoGP in 2013. The tires did not last the race distance, a compulsory pit stop with tire change was ordered during the Australian Grand Prix . A procedure which continued in 2014 and 2015.
Dunlop, which has a monopoly in the Moto3 and Moto2 world championships has never had a problem, and the current MotoGP tire supplier Michelin no more worries. However, a MotoGP machine has much more engine power than a Superbike and much more than a Supersport motorcycle. But in Grand Prix, tires are as much prototypes as the machines they equip. In WSBK and WSS, on the other hand, the tires are based on production models, and the dimensions are also fixed. The Italians therefore cannot make tires suitable for the special needs of Phillip Island.
