The 2025 Monster Energy Grand Prix of Catalonia delivered a weekend packed with sporting action and spectacle, under conditions that are typically demanding for tires. On a fast track known for its low grip and tendency to induce wheelspin, Michelin's allocation proved to be the right fit, enabling riders to maintain a high pace with remarkable consistency.
High-level performance and records
From Friday onwards, the tone was set: on asphalt heated to 45°C, Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) lowered the track record to 1'38.141, before Alex Márquez sealed pole position on Saturday in 1'37.536, a new all-time record, 0.654 seconds faster than the previous benchmark set by Aleix Espargaró (Aprilia Racing) in 2024.
The Tissot Sprint, contested by the entire field on MICHELIN Power Medium fronts and Soft rears, was then won by Marc Márquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) in 19'58.946, ahead of Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) and Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team). Starting third on the grid, the eight-time World Champion from Spain delivered a strong performance, with an overall race time more than one and a half seconds quicker than the 2024 edition.
On Sunday, the MotoGP™ race unfolded in slightly cooler conditions (38°C at the start), but still demanding on the rear tires.
All riders opted for MICHELIN Power Medium tires at both the front and the rear, with the sole exception of Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), who chose a Soft rear to benefit from extra grip in the early stages of the Grand Prix.
Alex Márquez converted his weekend speed into victory, making up for Saturday's crash by winning the Grand Prix. He crossed the line ahead of his brother Marc and Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech3) at the end of a fast and fiercely contested race.
MotoE™: sustainability powering the show
The FIM MotoE World Championship held its fifth round of the season in Catalonia, with two races on Saturday. Fitted with MICHELIN Power MotoE tires containing 56% sustainable materials at the front and 58% at the rear, the electric Ducatis put on a thrilling show.
Eric Granado (LCR E-Team) won both races of the day, strengthening his title hopes, while the championship remains wide open heading into the final two rounds.
Piero Taramasso, Michelin Motorsport 2-Wheel Manager, summed up:
"The Catalan Grand Prix always represents a unique challenge for our tires. The circuit is technical and varied, but above all very demanding due to its low grip levels and the significant wheelspin generated by the surface. In such conditions, finding the right balance between grip, stability and performance consistency is crucial.
We knew temperatures would be high and that tire thermal management would play a decisive role. Our allocation included three front options, among them the new reinforced-carcass Hard front. In the end, riders favored the Medium version, which they considered better suited to the track's demands this weekend.
Combined with a Soft rear in the Tissot Sprint or a Medium rear in the Grand Prix, the MICHELIN Power Medium allowed riders to achieve a very good balance, and teams to fine-tune their electronic settings to compensate for the lack of rear grip. Both solutions proved effective, as shown by record-breaking times on Saturday and exemplary consistency from the first to the last lap on Sunday.
In MotoE, we also witnessed two excellent races, with strong performances and a very high level of spectacle. It is a great satisfaction for Michelin to demonstrate that sustainable innovation, with an ever-growing share of renewable and recycled materials, goes hand in hand with performance and entertainment."
Next round
The FIM MotoGP World Championship continues next weekend, September 12–14, with the Red Bull Grand Prix of San Marino and the Rimini Riviera, held at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli.
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