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Continuing Controversy: Tire Pressure Rules in MotoGP
The ongoing debate surrounding MotoGP’s tire pressure regulations appears set to endure at least until 2027, as leading riders express a consensus on the need to maintain these controversial rules.
This issue resurfaced prominently during the recent race in Qatar, where Maverick Vinales was stripped of his second-place finish due to his front tire being below the required pressure limit. These limits, established by tire supplier Michelin, have been enforced since the 2023 British Grand Prix and saw adjustments for the upcoming 2024 season.
The announcement of a significant 16-second penalty for Vinales, leading to his drop to 14th position, came only after the celebratory podium ceremonies at Losail. This delay has further fueled the growing dissatisfaction with the tire pressure rule, particularly among spectators who may view the matter as overly technical and detached from the on-track excitement.
Despite the criticism, the top four riders in the championship standings affirmed at Jerez that the tire pressure rule is essential for both safety and competitive fairness. Franco Morbidelli, representing the VR46 team and currently fourth in the standings, emphasized, “The MotoGP bike is really aggressive and it’s really strong [in its demands of the tyres]. Thus, having safety thresholds set by Michelin is appropriate, and we must adhere to their guidelines.”
Marc Marquez echoed these sentiments, but he suggested that modifications could be made to the rule stipulating that tires must exceed the pressure limit for 60% of the race distance. He noted that this requirement could place undue pressure on teams to predict race dynamics more accurately, as tire pressures may drop unexpectedly during the race.
“For me, safety is the priority, as Michelin states,” said Marquez. “The focus should be on exploring if we can safely reduce the required percentage of laps at the defined tire pressure.”
Alex Marquez, currently in contention with his brother in the championship standings, agreed, suggesting a slight adjustment might be beneficial, but he affirmed that uniformity in enforcing regulations is vital.
Francesco Bagnaia, a double world champion and Ducati racer, also supported the necessity of these regulations, asserting that the existing pressure limits are reasonable and should remain intact: “While we used to race with the same tires but with lower pressures, the limitation in Qatar was indeed low, but compliance is essential for safety.”
Vinales has maintained a positive outlook despite facing the consequences of the penalty. Upon arriving in Jerez, he explained that his unexpectedly leading the race resulted in lower tire pressures due to the clear air and lack of a drafting group effect.
“We miscalculated our pressures thinking we would be racing within a group, and after a few laps, we found ourselves at the front,” Vinales elaborated. “I attempted to replicate the strategy Marc used in Thailand, but his pace was too quick for me to keep up.”
Vinales further clarified that running low tire pressures yields no competitive advantage: “A 16-second penalty is significant, and while the rules are clear, if it were only four seconds, drivers might be more inclined to take risks. Racing on low-pressure tires is far from comfortable.”
With substantial support for the current regulations from the riders and teams, any potential revision of the tire pressure rules will likely only be revisited with the transition to a new tire supplier, Pirelli, in the 2027 season. The ongoing discussions reflect a broader concern within the sport regarding safety and competitiveness, as technology and strategies continue to evolve in the high-stakes world of MotoGP.
Source
www.autosport.com