Preview – Qatar Airways Grand Prix Of Austria 2026 – R15

Press Release A proven tyre allocation for the Austrian round of the FIM MotoGP™ World Championship • From September 18 to 20, the Red Bull Ring will host Round 15 of the 2026 FIM MotoGP™ World Championship, one month later in the season than in 2025. • Michelin will offer two symmetrical front tyres and two asymmetrical rear tyres, featuring a reinforced right shoulder. This allocation is based on the solutions used in 2025, apart from the Hard front, which was not used last year and has therefore not been retained for 2026. • Subjected to significant stress due to the numerous acceleration phases and the configuration of the circuit, the rear tyre will also feature a reinforced casing to help control its temperature. This internal structure is identical to the one used in Brazil earlier this season. From September 18 to 20, 2026, MotoGP will head to the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg for the Qatar Airways Grand Prix of Austria. Round 15 of the season will take place around one month later than in 2025. Temperatures could therefore be slightly cooler, although Michelin is still expecting potentially hot conditions. Last year, track temperatures exceeded 50°C, reaching a maximum of 53°C on both Friday and Saturday. Set on a hillside in the heart of Styria, the Red Bull Ring is an unusual 4.318 km circuit featuring 65 metres of elevation change. Its long straights, heavy braking zones and hard acceleration give it a distinctive “Stop and Go” character. It has just ten corners – seven right-handers and three left-handers – a layout that places specific demands on the tyres. This configuration generally produces action-packed races with plenty of overtaking. It also contributes to the event’s popularity, with large crowds traditionally gathering in the grandstands and on the hillsides surrounding the circuit.   Piero Taramasso, Michelin Two-Wheel Competition Manager: “The Red Bull Ring is a very particular circuit, with long straights, heavy braking zones and numerous acceleration phases. Its relatively low level of mechanical grip generates a lot of wheelspin and places significant demands on the rear tyre. Our 2026 allocation is based on the solutions that proved their effectiveness here last year. At the front, we have selected the symmetrical Soft and Medium. The Hard has not been retained because it was not used in 2025. At the rear, the asymmetrical Soft and Medium feature both a reinforced casing and a reinforced right shoulder. This is designed to address the greater number of right-hand corners and to keep tyre temperatures under control while ensuring consistent performance. These tyres are the same as those used at the Estrella Galicia 0,0 Grand Prix of Brazil. This year, the Grand Prix takes place one month later in the season. It could therefore be slightly cooler than in 2025, when track temperatures exceeded 50°C, but we are nevertheless preparing for potentially high temperatures. The weather can change very quickly in this region: we can encounter cold conditions as well as rain, and our range will enable the riders to respond to all these situations. In the event of rain, we will provide our partners with the Michelin Power Rain range, following the same specification principles as the Michelin Power Slick tyres.”   The race weekend schedule The weekend will begin on Friday, September 18, with a Free Practice session in the morning, followed by Practice in the afternoon, which will determine the ten riders who qualify directly for Q2. On Saturday, September 19, a final Free Practice session will precede Qualifying. Q1 will determine the two additional riders who progress to Q2, which will then establish the starting grid. The 14-lap Tissot Sprint will get underway at 3:00 pm. On Sunday, September 20, the 28-lap Grand Prix will start at 2:00 pm. About Michelin Michelin is building a world-leading manufacturer of life-changing composites and experiences. Pioneering engineered materials for more than 130 years, Michelin is uniquely positioned to make decisive contributions to human progress and to a more sustainable world. Drawing on its deep know-how in polymer composites, Michelin is constantly innovating to manufacture high-quality tires and components for critical applications in demanding fields as varied as mobility, construction, aeronautics, low-carbon energies, and healthcare. The care placed in its products and deep customer knowledge inspire Michelin to offer the finest experiences. This spans from providing data- and AI-based connected solutions for professional fleets to recommending outstanding restaurants and hotels curated by the MICHELIN Guide. Headquartered in Clermont-Ferrand, France, Michelin is present in 175 countries and employs 122,600 people. Race Preview - PDF 2026 Season Media Kit - PDF For further information on Michelin Motorsport please visit:   www.michelinmotorsport.com     Alessandro Barlozzi - alessandro.barlozzi@michelin.com - Phone: +33 6 09 90 57 97 Copyright © 2026. All rights reserved. Unsubscribe?