The fast and challenging Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya plays host to the 7th round of the 2015 MotoGP season this weekend, with the Montmeló circuit set to thrill riders and fans alike with its array of high speed corners.
The 4.7 kilometre circuit sees MotoGP riders reach high lean angles for long periods of time. Combine this with the harsh braking zones and high ambient temperatures, and the Catalan Grand Prix is definitely one of the most severe races on the calendar for Bridgestone’s MotoGP tyres.
The difference between the forces imposed on the left and right hand shoulders of the rear tyres are so great that Bridgestone provides asymmetric rear slicks with a compound up to two steps harder on the right shoulder of the tyre when compared with the left. Meanwhile, the front tyre allocation has to give riders good braking stability, and excellent edge grip on the fast, sweeping corners.
Rear tyre options for Factory Honda & Yamaha riders are the medium and hard compound rear, with the rest of the field having a soft and medium option. The front slick options are the soft, medium and hard compounds. As the Catalan circuit is so severe on tyres, it is one of just 4 circuits on the calendar which us the hard compound as the main wet tyre allocation.
You can see which compound a rider is running using the Bridgestone colour coded decal system:
Hiroshi Yamada – Manager, Bridgestone Motorsport Department
“MotoGP returns to Spain this weekend at one of the most demanding tracks on the calendar, the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. This circuit has fast and flowing sections that help create exciting racing and in recent times, the 2007 and 2009 races here stand out as being particularly memorable with the winning margin being less than one tenth of a second. We often experience very hot weather at Montmeló and when conditions are hot, this event becomes even more demanding for the riders, machinery and tyres. After the race, we will be supporting teams in a MotoGP group test at the circuit as we continue to invest in our MotoGP programme for the 2015 season. This weekend we will also be hosting our annual Bridgestone Kart Challenge where media teams go head-to-head in an endurance kart race. This event continues to grow in popularity and as always we look forward to welcoming the media and MotoGP riders to this fun event on Friday.”
Shinji Aoki – Manager, Bridgestone Motorcycle Tyre Development Department
“The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya features many long, sweeping corners where the riders reach high lean angles for long periods of time. Most of these long-radius corners are right-handers, and overall there are eight right turns compared to just five left-hand corners so we provide asymmetric slicks with harder rubber on the right shoulder at this circuit. The long-radius corners generate very high tyre temperatures and help make this circuit one of the most severe on the calendar for our tyres. Adding to the challenge, the grip level of the track surface is not that high so we need to ensure the tyres have good edge grip and braking stability, while also being resistant to overheating. Our front tyre allocation for this circuit needs to provide the riders with good edge grip and stability to ensure high performance and safety in the high speed sections of this track.”
Can Jorge Lorenzo make it four wins in a row in front of his home crowd? Tune in to find out.
