You are here

MotoGP, Michelin: Austin is a track that deserves respect

Tyre challenges include the different types of corner and hard braking zones. Taramasso: "we haven't yet shown our potential"

MotoGP: Michelin: Austin is a track that deserves respect

Share


The Circuit of The Americas in Austin, with its 5513 metres and 20 corners (11 left and 9 right-handers), is one of the toughest tracks on the calendar. Particularly for the tyres, which have to cope with an array of different corners as well as the hard braking zones.

For the Texan GP, Michelin will bring 3 different compounds (soft, medium and hard) as usual. While front options are symmetrical, the rears will have a harder right side.

One of the problems at Austin has traditionally been the dips left by the Formula 1 cars, but work has been done to level the asphalt without replacing it and only time will tell if this has an impact on tyre behaviour.

Michelin manager Piero Taramasso explains the circuit: This is another demanding track and one that deserves respect. It has many aspects to it and we have to make a tyre that can cope with all the different turns, hard-braking zones and the challenge of the surface. The circuit has tried hard to get rid of the bumps that have been caused by other events using the track, so it will be very interesting and important for us to understand how this will affect the tyres.  CoTA is one of the circuits where we are determined to make improvements at, as we believe we have not demonstrated the true potential of our tyres around there, so we are looking for some positive results and a chance to show what we can do.”

Translated by Heather Watson
__

Related articles