Front Tire Introduces New Hard Compound, Rear Uses Asymmetric Construction Reinforced on Right Side
Michelin has announced its tire allocation for Round 3 of the MotoGP World Championship—the Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas—featuring MICHELIN Power Slicks specifically optimized for the Circuit of the Americas (COTA).
Circuit of the Americas (COTA): A Texas Stage That Tests the Limits
Located near Austin, Texas, and built in the early 2010s, the Circuit of the Americas has hosted MotoGP™ every year since 2013. With a seating capacity of up to 120,000, the 5.513 km circuit features 20 corners—nine right-handers and eleven left-handers.
COTA is most notable for its dramatic elevation change, especially the steep 40-meter climb into Turn 1, and a 1,200-meter back straight where bikes reach speeds exceeding 350 km/h, making it one of MotoGP’s fastest sections. The 49-meter tall observation tower overlooking Turn 17 is another iconic landmark of the circuit.
In 2025, COTA returns as the venue for the third round of the season, following the opening races in Buriram (Thailand) and Termas de Río Hondo (Argentina). As the first North American round of the year, all eyes are on how each team will perform.
COTA Resurfacing and Evolving Track Conditions
In recent years, COTA has undergone multiple resurfacing efforts. This time, the newly repaved sections include Turns 1–2, 11–12, and 19–20. These updates have alleviated the most severe bumps, particularly in the early and final sectors.
However, the instability of the ground beneath means the track still retains a generally bumpy character. Additionally, the dark asphalt used in resurfacing absorbs heat more easily, leading to increased track temperatures and accelerated tire wear—posing new challenges.
To meet these evolving conditions, Michelin has carefully tailored its tire allocation to suit COTA’s specific demands. The selection reflects not only previous data and experience but also accounts for variations in surface grip across different sections.
Piero Taramasso (Michelin Two-Wheel Motorsport Manager) Comments:
“We have a lot of experience at COTA, but the partial resurfacing this year and the resulting grip variations required a fresh approach. We assess the asphalt’s aggressiveness as moderate, yet despite the improvements, the track still presents irregularities. We’ve adjusted our allocation to maintain tire stiffness balance while accommodating the new challenges.”
Michelin continues to adapt scientifically and flexibly to these evolving track conditions, ensuring safety, performance, and durability. Even in COTA’s unpredictable environment, riders can count on consistent performance.
MICHELIN Power Slick Configuration for COTA
Michelin has officially released its 2025 tire allocation for the Americas GP in Austin. The front and rear tires are specially designed to handle the characteristics of the resurfaced track and the intense demands of the circuit.
■ Front Tires: Symmetric Construction (Soft / Medium / Hard)
- All three compounds (Soft, Medium, Hard) use a symmetric structure.
- The Hard compound features a new 2025-spec formula designed to handle both the resurfaced areas and high inputs from the track.
■ Rear Tires: Asymmetric Construction (Soft / Medium – Right Side Reinforced)
- Both Soft and Medium compounds employ an asymmetric construction with reinforced right-hand sides.
- Although the circuit runs counterclockwise, the triple right-hand sequence from Turns 16 to 18 puts extreme stress on the right side, necessitating reinforcement.
Austin’s weather in March is generally dry, with average daytime temperatures around 25°C (77°F). Still, Michelin is prepared for wet conditions with its MICHELIN Power Rain lineup. Front tires are offered in symmetric Soft and Medium compounds, while rear tires maintain the right-side-reinforced asymmetric structure in both compounds.
Piero Taramasso Adds:
“COTA places significant loads on the front tire, but since the wear isn’t extreme on just one side, we’ve kept a symmetric design there. However, the rear tire needs a reinforced right side to cope with the unique demands of COTA’s triple right-hand corners. Last year, this setup enabled our partners to break several records. We’re confident it will again help riders deliver peak performance this season.”
2025 Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas – Schedule
The 2025 Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas kicks off on Friday, March 28. The first Free Practice (FP1) runs from 10:45 AM to 11:30 AM local time, followed by a crucial afternoon session (3:00 PM–4:00 PM) that determines the top 10 riders who advance directly to Qualifying 2 (Q2).
On Saturday, March 29, FP2 will be held from 10:10 AM to 10:40 AM, followed by Qualifying 1 (Q1) from 11:15 AM to 11:30 AM. Two more riders will earn spots in Q2, finalizing the grid lineup.
The 10-lap Tissot Sprint takes place at 3:00 PM that afternoon. The main race, consisting of 20 laps, is scheduled to start at 2:00 PM on Sunday, March 30.
(Photo courtesy of Michelin)