MotoGP spec-tyre supplier Michelin will take two new rear compounds to this weekend’s Red Bull Ring race in order to prevent the massive wear problems experienced in the recent tests where some teams struggled to get ten laps out of a tyre.
Although the company’s front held up well even under terrifically hot track temperatures, the rears weren’t able to do a race distance so new medium and hard rubber will be available in aysmmetric designs as the track has only two lefts and seven rights, plus three very fast straights.
“The Red Bull Ring is going to be a completely new experience, not just for Michelin, but the whole paddock as no-one has raced there before in MotoGP. The only rider with any experience in a Grand Prix is Valentino Rossi, but that was on a lower class bike and the track has been completely refurbished since then,” said boss Piero Taramasso.
“We have had a test there recently and learned quite a lot, so we think we have a good idea how the tyres will work. It is an interesting layout with just two left-hand corners and only seven rights, so we have brought tyres to cope with this unusual layout. Hopefully we won’t have all the weather issues we have had in the last two races, but if we do we will be ready for whatever comes our way.”
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