Michelin, as the tire supplier in MotoGP, made an important decision before the Japanese Grand Prix. They stated that the use of soft rear tires was prohibited due to issues with rear tire disintegration and grip experienced in the Motegi race.
Michelin Director Piero Taramasso expressed that the soft tire option was withdrawn after evaluating the collected data, and that the middle tire should be used cautiously, presenting the reinforced hard rear tire as the most suitable choice for teams wanting to maintain a consistent speed throughout the entire race.
Tire Crisis and Team Status
Marc Márquez won the Sprint race, and the tire crisis affected all riders. Jorge Martín fought on the podium, but in the last lap, he lost more than one second from the grid, stating that he finished the race by force.
While other riders raced on soft rubber, the complete split of Pecco Bagnaia's rear tire raised safety concerns. Marco Bezzecchi and Jack Miller competed in the Sprint race using middle tires.
I chose the middle tires in the Sprint, they worked very well, especially on the right corners. (Jack Miller)
The Importance of Hard Tires
Teammate Jack Miller evaluated the Sunday race strategy: "However, my tire had a bubble in the middle; it was close to Pecco's, though not as much. Therefore, we will all have to use hard tires tomorrow, and I can guarantee it."
Additionally, an assessment was made regarding pre-race preparations: "Having more time in the 10-minute warm-up session in the morning would be beneficial for understanding the situation, as the engine settings will change significantly."
Figures
- Marc Márquez is competing in 2nd place with 331 points in the 2026 MotoGP season (Ducati Team).
- Archive: Márquez Battles for Championship Turns Triple (October 4, 2026)
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Go to sourceCompiled by Şükrü Utku Poyraz
