After the Michelin Grand Prix of Hungary, the FIM MotoGP™ World Championship heads to Catalonia. From September 5 to 7, the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya will host the Monster Energy Grand Prix of Catalonia 2025, an iconic event on the calendar that combines technical challenge and spectacle.
This return to Catalonia, scheduled at the end of summer, is expected to take place in hot conditions, with high air and track temperatures. This will further increase the challenges posed by a circuit renowned for its limited grip and tendency to induce rear-wheel spin.
A technical and highly demanding track
The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, inaugurated in 1991, is regarded as one of the most complete on the calendar. At 4.627 km in length, it alternates long straights, fast corners and tight bends, all on an undulating layout with banking. Its 12-metre width allows for numerous overtaking opportunities, but its very smooth surface remains a major constraint.
Despite resurfacing in 2018, grip levels remain low, which accentuates rear-wheel spin on acceleration. In such conditions, tyre surface temperature rises quickly, reducing grip further and accelerating wear. This vicious circle requires fine-tuned bike set-up and electronic management to fully exploit machine potential while preserving tyre performance over the race distance.
Michelin's allocation for Barcelona
For the 2025 edition, Michelin has defined an allocation tailored to the specific demands of the Catalan circuit:
- Front: three symmetric slicks are available. The Soft and Medium are identical to 2024, while the Hard adopts a new, more rigid and robust casing, already used in Austria and Hungary. This structure provides greater support under braking and increased stability, while retaining the grip level of a Medium.
- Rear: two asymmetric slicks (Soft and Medium), with a reinforced right shoulder, carried over unchanged after their proven effectiveness in 2024.
In case of rain, the Michelin Power Rain range will be available in Soft and Medium, also asymmetric with a harder right side.
"The Catalan Grand Prix is always a particular challenge," explains Piero Taramasso, Manager of Michelin's two-wheel competition programme. "The circuit is very complete, with fast straights, slow and fast corners, elevation changes and even banking. But its defining feature is the grip: it is very low, and rear-wheel spin is very pronounced. If the rear tyres spin too much, their surface temperature rises, which further reduces grip and accelerates wear. That is what makes this race so difficult for the teams to interpret.
"In 2024, our tyres performed perfectly and the teams found good settings. This year, we are returning in September and we can expect higher temperatures than in May, which will be an additional variable to manage. This contrasts sharply with Balaton Park, where grip levels are high: the teams will therefore have to work extensively on bike set-up, electronics and power management to adapt to these conditions.
"The 2025 allocation, with a new Hard front, seems even better suited to the demands of the circuit, and we are confident it will allow riders to show their full potential, even though grip management and wheel spin will remain critical throughout the weekend."
MotoE™: sustainability at the service of the show
The Catalan Grand Prix will also be the fifth round of the FIM MotoE™ World Championship, with races 9 and 10 of the season.
As always, qualifying will take place on Friday, with both races scheduled for Saturday, September 6.
Michelin equips all Ducati electric machines with tyres that contain an increasing proportion of renewable and recycled materials: 58% at the rear and 56% at the front. The MICHELIN Power MotoE tyres are also distinguished by a temporary "Race to Vision" design, whose patterns fade after just a few laps, enhancing the spectacular nature of the competition.
A technical and spectacular event
The Monster Energy Grand Prix of Catalonia 2025 promises to be a weekend full of challenges. The circuit's limited grip, combined with late-summer heat, will test tyres and bike set-ups to the limit. Thanks to a specific allocation and its extensive experience, Michelin is providing riders with the solutions needed to tackle this demanding event.
Beyond the technical aspect, the Catalan fans can look forward to a packed programme combining the speed and excitement of MotoGP with the sustainable innovation of MotoE. A cocktail that makes the Barcelona round one of the most eagerly awaited of the season.
Schedule of the Monster Energy Grand Prix of Catalonia 2025
The weekend will begin on Friday, September 5, with the first free practice sessions in the morning, followed by the Practice session in the afternoon which will determine the ten riders who qualify directly for Q2. On Saturday, September 6, a final free practice session will precede qualifying (Q1 and Q2), which will set the grid. The Tissot Sprint (12 laps) will take place at 15:00. On Sunday, September 7, the MotoGP™ Grand Prix of Catalonia will start at 14:00 for 24 laps.
In parallel, MotoE will hold its qualifying sessions on Friday, followed by its two races (9 and 10 of the season) on Saturday.
No hay comentarios:
Publicar un comentario