MICHELIN STATEMENT REGARDING TYRE SITUATION IN ARGENTINA

Following an incident with the rear tyre of Scott Redding’s Ducati at the Termas de Rio Hondo circuit in Argentina – which saw the British rider safely park his motorcycle off the track with the tyre still inflated – Michelin, in agreement with Dorna, IRTA and all the teams, has on the grounds of safety taken immediate steps to withdraw both versions of the rear tyres that were available to all riders.

The medium and hard compound MICHELIN Slicks will now be replaced by the extra tyre. Having an extra tyre ready is a compulsory requirement as stated in the rules and regulations of MotoGP™. The new tyre is designed with a stiffer construction, whilst still using the same medium compound that has been available this weekend.

To allow the teams to adapt the settings to the new tyre, all riders will have an additional 30-minutes Free Practice tomorrow morning, which will be followed by the already scheduled 20-minute morning warm-up.

Michelin will now assess the tyre and investigate the cause of the damage, before making any further announcement.

More, from a statement issued by Dorna/FIM Race Direction:

Statement from Race Direction, Argentina

The warm up starting at 10:40 will now be for 30 minutes, finishing at 11:10. This will apply whether the track is dry or wet.

If the track is dry for the warm up riders should use the replacement rear tyre (Option Tyre).

If the track is wet for the warm up then the plan to provide extra practice sessions with the Option tyre is cancelled and the race will be held using the tyres from the original allocation.

RACE

If the race starts in dry conditions if the warm up has been dry then riders must start with the Option tyre and the race will be for the full 25 laps. The normal flag to flag conditions will apply if the track becomes wet.

If the race starts in dry conditions when the warm up has been wet then riders may use either of the rear slick tyres (Medium & Hard of their allocation for Argentina). However, the race will be “flag to flag” for 20 laps with a compulsory stop to change machines at the end of lap 9, 10 or 11.

If the race starts in the wet and the track dries then Race Direction will decide if it is unsafe for the riders to continue in which case the race will be red flagged. The new “dry” race will then be restarted for ten laps with a 15 minute start procedure. Should the track become wet during this race the riders may change machines as normal.

If the race starts in wet conditions and remains wet then the race will be for the normal 25 laps.

Under no conditions will the use of intermediate tyres be permitted.

Race Direction