For the first time since 2019, the Michelin motorsports team are headed to America, for the Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas. This round will be held at the Circuit of The America, which is set in the hills just outside downtown Austin, Texas. The circuit is instantly recognisable for its 251ft observation tower,
The 3.426 mile circuit has been known for its abrasive and bumpy track which will put the Michelin Power Slick tyres to the test! The track has been the subject of much work in recent years, including in 2018, when the top layers of the surface were planned to remove some of the bumps. This meant that the surface conditions were somewhat unpredictable and can therefore make optimum tyre choice difficult to judge. The high temperatures will also prove challenging, in the past the average temperature in April was 25°C whereas in September the average temperature is above 30°C.
Circuit of the Americas is one of the most recent additions to the MotoGP calendar, with this being the fifth visit since its return to the premier class. The circuit has an anti-clockwise configuration, parts of the track are inspired by famous sections from some iconic racetracks, including Hockenheim, Silverstone, Interlagos and Österreichring. These corners, together with an intimidating 40m (133ft) climb to Turn 1, a 1,200m (0.74 miles) straight and a very demanding track surface, all add up to one of the biggest challenges of the year for the Michelin tyres.
The Michelin slick tyre allocation for CoTA has been chosen to cope with the expected demands that will be faced over each lap with its 11 right and 9 left-hand corners, and the abrasive track surface. Available in Soft, Medium and Hard compounds, the three front tyre options will all be symmetrical, while the four rears – which includes an additional Hard option due to the resurfacing – will be asymmetric, with a harder right side to cope with the extra stresses that are placed on that part of the tyre.
Although the chances of it being a wet race is very slim, it doesn’t hurt to be prepared just in case. There will be a range of Michelin Power Rain tyres to hand, to give riders the confidence to push it to the limits if the rain does make an appearance. They will be available in soft and medium compounds for both front and rears.
Commenting on the race weekend, Piero Taramasso, Michelin Two-Wheel Motorsport Manager:
“CoTA has always been quite challenging from a tyre perspective, and not only due to the layout of the track with its elevation changes and mix of corners, but also because the grip levels can be very difficult to judge. This will be further complicated this year as we have not raced here at this time of year before, so track temperatures could be quite different to what we know, and we have not raced here since April 2019 and much can change in that time. Having said that, I’m sure our tyre allocation will allow the riders to push to the limit as always and help to produce some exciting and close racing.”
The on-track action will get underway on Friday 1 October with two Free Practice sessions, and Saturday will have two further Practice sessions, followed by Qualifying 1 and 2 to decide grid positions for the race. The lights will go out to signal the start of the 20-lap race at 14:00 local
