The 15th round of the 2026 FIM MotoGP™ World Championship, the Qatar Airways Grand Prix of Austria, has just drawn to a close at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg. Set on a hillside, this unusual 4.348-kilometre circuit features just 10 corners – seven right-handers and three left-handers – and places very specific demands on the tyres, particularly in terms of thermal management.
Michelin had anticipated significantly cooler conditions than those experienced in 2025, and the temperatures recorded over the weekend confirmed these forecasts. The track reached 33°C on Saturday and 37°C on Sunday, almost 20°C lower than during the previous edition, which was held one month earlier in the season. Rain also made an appearance at the Red Bull Ring, but always outside the track sessions. Michelin’s partners were therefore able to work exclusively with Michelin Power Slick tyres.
On Friday, the opening practice sessions provided the first indications of the different strategies that could be adopted, with the track temperature limited to 20°C in the morning before rising to 34°C in the afternoon. The final practice session on Saturday morning did not immediately allow the teams to fine-tune their settings, as overnight rain had left the track cold and damp in places. The riders then benefited from better conditions during qualifying.
At the front, the Medium Michelin Power Slick quickly established itself as the benchmark solution. Appreciated for its stability, excellent feel and versatility, it was selected by every rider, without exception, for both the Tissot Sprint and the Grand Prix.
At the rear, the choice was slightly more open. The Soft compound provided the extra grip required for time attacks, particularly during qualifying, while the Medium appealed for its stability and its ability to maintain a consistent level of performance over longer runs. Decisions therefore depended on riding style, the behaviour of each motorcycle and the strategies developed by the teams.
In these conditions, only four riders opted for the Medium rear for the Tissot Sprint, with the vast majority of the grid preferring to exploit the additional grip offered by the Soft compound. On Sunday, however, the Medium rear was selected by 100% of the riders for the Grand Prix. In both races, the different solutions offered by Michelin contributed to some excellent battles on track, fought at a particularly high pace. Even in the closing laps, when the lighter fuel loads allowed the riders to push harder, the tyres maintained a high level of grip and consistency.
Piero Taramasso, Michelin Motorsport Two-Wheel Competition Manager:
“We had anticipated the different scenarios and, thanks to the technical choices made beforehand, we were once again able to provide our partners with the right tyre at the right time. The track evolved considerably over the course of the weekend, while the temperatures contrasted sharply with those experienced during the 2025 Grand Prix. In this context, the work of our Technical Team Advisors was particularly valuable in supporting our partners. Given the circuit layout and the relatively low-grip nature of the asphalt, the riders needed a rear tyre with a reinforced casing and a harder right shoulder. This solution proved perfectly suited to the conditions. It gave the riders the confidence they needed to push, and we were able to enjoy some excellent battles on track. The conditions did not allow the outright circuit record, set in 2024, to be improved, but the overall pace progressed thanks to the precision and consistency of the motorcycle-tyre package. Since the start of the season, the consistency of the Michelin Power Slick tyres has been a key factor in overall performance. We now leave Europe for Japan and then Indonesia, where different challenges await us, particularly in terms of heat and humidity.”
Ranges perfectly suited to the requirements
For the Qatar Airways Grand Prix of Austria, Michelin made two symmetric Soft and Medium compounds available to its partners for the front wheel, along with two asymmetric Soft and Medium compounds for the rear.
For this race, both the internal construction and the right shoulder of the rear tyre were reinforced to address the greater number of right-hand corners, as well as the thermal stresses placed on the tyres by this unusual circuit. By keeping rear tyre temperatures under control on track, the riders were able to benefit from consistent performance over the full distance, with both the Soft and Medium compounds.
On Saturday afternoon, Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing) won the Tissot Sprint with a Medium front and Soft rear combination, ahead of Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) and Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing), who had both opted for the same tyre combination.
On Sunday, Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) claimed his maiden MotoGP Grand Prix victory on MICHELIN Power Slick tyres, using the Medium compound at both the front and rear. The same choice was made by the Aprilia riders Jorge Martin and Marco Bezzecchi, who finished second and third respectively to complete the podium.
The 16th round of the MotoGP World Championship will take place in Japan. The Motul Grand Prix of Japan will be held from October 2 to 4 at the Motegi circuit.
