Why Brazilian MotoGP tyre allocation may not impact Ducati as badly as feared
After a bruising opening round in Thailand, might the Brazilian MotoGP tyre allocation play back into Ducati’s hands?
Michelin’s rear tyre allocation for this weekend’s return of the MotoGP Brazilian Grand Prix will be more ‘Austria’ than ‘Buriram/Mandalika’, the company has revealed.
After the Thai season-opener, Michelin suggested that its tyre strategy for the unknown challenge of Goiania would be to use the “same rear tyre casing as Buriram”.
However, the final choice for this weekend’s expanded allocation will see two rear tyre options featuring “a reinforced casing identical to the one used at the Red Bull Ring circuit in Austria” with only a third rear “[using] a different casing, already used at circuits such as Buriram or Mandalika.”
That allocation could be welcome news for Ducati, who saw an 88-race run of grand prix podiums end at the Thai season-opener and also suffered on the similar spec of reinforced carcass at Mandalika last October.
The stiffer rear tyre in Thailand also played into Aprilia's hands, as it took pole and victory in the grand prix with Marco Bezzecchi.
Meanwhile, Marc Marquez won both Red Bull Ring races last season. KTM was third in the Sprint with Pedro Acosta, then Aprilia third in the grand prix with Marco Bezzecchi.
Prior to that, Pecco Bagnaia dominated at the Red Bull Ring in 2024 and 2023 on that rear tyre carcass.
The Autodromo Internacional Ayrton Senna last hosted a grand prix in the late 1980s, with a complete resurfacing among the upgrades ahead of this weekend’s ‘MotoGP’ debut.
The absence of any MotoGP laps before this weekend’s Brazilian MotoGP means Michelin has relied exclusively on simulation data to determine tyre allocation for the Goiania circuit.
“Goiania represents a completely new challenge for us,” said Piero Taramasso, Two-Wheel Motorsport Manager at Michelin Motorsport.
“We have never raced there in MotoGP and we have not been able to organise any tests, so all our preparation relies on simulations. They show a very asymmetric circuit, with very high loads especially on the right-hand side.
“To address these constraints and the uncertainty associated with a new track, we are bringing an extended allocation to Brazil with three specifications at the front and three at the rear, all asymmetric.
“In addition to a reinforced right-hand tread area like the front tyres, the rear tyres feature a reinforced structure to better control temperature build-up. This will give teams more opportunities to find the best balance.
“On this new circuit, the riders who learn the racing lines and the tyre behaviour the fastest will certainly have an advantage. Finally, we are very happy to return to Brazil, a country with an extremely passionate and warm public.”
To compensate for the lack of testing, and expanded tyre range, Friday’s practice sessions will also be extended.
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Peter has been in the paddock for 20 years and has seen Valentino Rossi come and go. He is at the forefront of the Suzuki exit story and Marc Marquez’s injury issues.
