Photo: motogp.com
It looks like somebody got smarter at Bridgestone, as the Official Tire Supplier announced that the front tire allocation will be expanded and this measure will be enforced through the entire season.
After the less-than-perfect debut round at Losail in Qatar and the old, 2013-spec tires Bridgestone brought at the Circuit of the Americas, the round on the new surface of the Termas de Rio Hondo circuit in Argentina was a crucial moment in the early stage of the championship. Bridgestone understood that the 2014 bikes are more powerful and faster, and their tires are at times unable to withstand the punishing conditions of the race.
Even though the 2014-spec rear tires are said to have received a heat-resistant compound, we saw the front one which clearly handicapped Rossi at COTA: it was only good for 8 laps or so, then forced the 9-time champion to ride defensively, with the right shoulder of the tire completely destroyed.
However, the FIM and Dorna approved a 10-unit front tire allocation, effective as of this weekend’s race at Jerez, one more than previously specified. At the same time, three compounds will be available, as opposed to only two until now.
To make the new rules modifications clearer, here’s the summarized info:
- 10 front slicks per rider (up from nine) from three compound options (up from two compounds)
- Riders can select a maximum of six slicks in either of the two prime specification compounds, and a maximum of three of the option specification compound.
- Each rider will receive an initial allocation of seven front tires and can choose the rest of their allocation following FP2.
- After FP2, each rider can choose three extra tires to complete their allocation.
- The rider can choose a maximum of three front tires in either of the prime allocation compounds. Alternatively, each rider can select a maximum of two front tires from the option compound, plus one of the prime compounds to make up their full allocation of ten front tires.
“MotoGP machines are becoming ever more demanding on tires, with improved lap times and a greater variety in the performance characteristics between bikes, so an increased front tire allocation will benefit everybody. Following the positive experience with the expanded front slick allocation at the Argentina Grand Prix, Bridgestone proposed to offer three front slick compound options to riders for the entire MotoGP season, and the FIM and Dorna have agreed to implement this change,” Bridgestone’s Motorsport Department Manager Hiroshi Yamada tells motogp.com.
Even though the 2014-spec rear tires are said to have received a heat-resistant compound, we saw the front one which clearly handicapped Rossi at COTA: it was only good for 8 laps or so, then forced the 9-time champion to ride defensively, with the right shoulder of the tire completely destroyed.
However, the FIM and Dorna approved a 10-unit front tire allocation, effective as of this weekend’s race at Jerez, one more than previously specified. At the same time, three compounds will be available, as opposed to only two until now.
To make the new rules modifications clearer, here’s the summarized info:
- 10 front slicks per rider (up from nine) from three compound options (up from two compounds)
- Riders can select a maximum of six slicks in either of the two prime specification compounds, and a maximum of three of the option specification compound.
- Each rider will receive an initial allocation of seven front tires and can choose the rest of their allocation following FP2.
- After FP2, each rider can choose three extra tires to complete their allocation.
- The rider can choose a maximum of three front tires in either of the prime allocation compounds. Alternatively, each rider can select a maximum of two front tires from the option compound, plus one of the prime compounds to make up their full allocation of ten front tires.
“MotoGP machines are becoming ever more demanding on tires, with improved lap times and a greater variety in the performance characteristics between bikes, so an increased front tire allocation will benefit everybody. Following the positive experience with the expanded front slick allocation at the Argentina Grand Prix, Bridgestone proposed to offer three front slick compound options to riders for the entire MotoGP season, and the FIM and Dorna have agreed to implement this change,” Bridgestone’s Motorsport Department Manager Hiroshi Yamada tells motogp.com.
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