MotoGP tyre supplier Michelin had just seven days to manufacture and dispatch the tyres required for this weekend’s new season finale in Barcelona.
The challenges arising from changing the venue for the title decider have been enormous for all parties involved. One of the key players who had to act quickly after the Valencia GP was cancelled was Michelin.
The executives of MotoGP promoter Dorna were in continuous dialogue with Michelin during the Malaysian Grand Prix as it finally decided on Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya as the track that will replace Circuit Ricardo Tormo as the final round on 15-17 November following the devastating storms that hit Valencia two weeks ago.
There were several reasons why Barcelona was chosen over other contenders, with logistics being one of the deciding factors. The other options contemplated at that time would have likely required running the finale a week later than scheduled. A second round in Malaysia was also considered but eventually ruled out due to, among other reasons, a lack of availability of essential elements such as tyres and fuel.
The decision to race in Barcelona was taken on the same Sunday at Sepang, and it was the following Monday that Michelin began to manufacture the specific compounds for a race that would be held in very different conditions to the Catalan Grand Prix in May at the same circuit. The key element will be the temperature in Barcelona, which is much lower in November compared to the summer.
Weather forecasts indicate a maximum temperature of 16 degrees Celsius on both Saturday and Sunday, and it’s possible that the number could drop further if it rains over the weekend.
“The challenge is very important, especially because of the little margin of reaction we had. We made it clear that, to do a race in Europe, we needed seven days to be able to manufacture the compounds. And that's what we did," Piero Taramasso, head of Michelin's racing division, told Autosport.
"On Monday after the Sepang race we started manufacturing them in France and [this] Wednesday they arrived at Montmelo.
"We have a very reactive work system, and the fact that the race is held on a European track has allowed us to gain about three days."
Michelin has brought a total of seven specifications of tyre for Barcelona, four front and three rear, taking both the Spanish circuit and Phillip Island as references. Under normal conditions, the total number of tyres required would be about 1,000. But by adding one more spec of compound, the figure has risen to 1,400 units.
"At Montmelo we have a track with asphalt that is very old, and, consequently, little grip," Taramasso added. "To that we have to add the temperature [to the mix], [which is] much lower than when we raced there six months ago."
