New track poses problems for Michelin

Previously the teams had data from years previous as to how their cars and tyres behaved, but now this data has to be acquired all again. It is for this reason that the Friday practice session will assume an even greater importance than it has at other races.

For Michelin the job is even that more difficult, as they are yet to have their tyres run on the new circuit so have no data as to what is the best tyre. Yes they can run simulations, have technicians assess the circuit and attempt to come up with the ideal tyre.

Michelin has had to come up with a tyre that has never run on the new circuit but at the same time is the best solution for the various Michelin supplied teams.

For Michelin Motorsport Director Pierre Dupasquier there are still sections of the circuit from which they can still use last years data, in particular that of the stadium section going into and coming out of the start-finish straight.

Dupasquier said: “In the Motodrom we can fall back on last year's data. In that section the tyres are not subject to excessive wear. As far as the rest of the new track is concerned, we’ll have to wait and see.”

There are several issues that have been in the minds of the Michelin technicians as they considered the best type of tyre for the circuit. One of these was the ratio of right to left hand bends.

Dupasquier added: "As the modified lay-out has more right-hand bends than left-hand ones, the left front tyre could be subject to increased wear.”

“We haven’t taken any definite decision on our tyre compound yet, for we are still analysing the lay-out. This is really going to be a step into unknown territory”, Dupasquier said.