The Red Bull Grand Prix of Australia, the 18th round of the 2026 FIM MotoGP World Championship, took place from October 23 to 25 at the Phillip Island Circuit, south of Melbourne. Renowned for its long, fast corners and the significant asymmetric loads it places on tires, the 4.445 km circuit once again presented teams and riders with unpredictable weather conditions.
Following a relatively warm opening day, with track temperatures reaching 47°C (117°F), rain arrived on Saturday morning, accompanied by a sharp drop in temperatures. A return to dry conditions subsequently allowed the Tissot Sprint to take place, before torrential rain severely disrupted Sunday’s schedule.
Michelin Power Slick Tires Confirm Their Effectiveness
From Friday onward, riders were able to evaluate the full Michelin Power Slick allocation, consisting of three asymmetric front specifications (Soft, Medium and Hard) and two rear specifications (Soft and Medium). Despite relatively modest grip levels and strong winds, lap times came within just three-tenths of a second of the circuit’s all-time lap record.
At the front, the Hard quickly emerged as the preferred choice thanks to its stability and consistency through the circuit’s long, high-speed corners. At the rear, the Soft impressed with its grip, while the Medium demonstrated excellent consistency after a slightly longer warm-up period. In both cases, tire wear and operating temperatures remained well under control.
These findings were confirmed during Saturday afternoon’s Tissot Sprint, held on a dry track with temperatures around 30°C (86°F). Nearly all riders selected the Hard front and Soft rear combination, with Johann Zarco (Castrol Honda LCR) the only rider to opt for the Medium front. The tires delivered excellent stability and consistency throughout the 13-lap race, with only a slight reduction in rear grip over the final two laps, without any significant impact on performance.
Marc Márquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) claimed victory ahead of his brother Álex Márquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) and Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team).
Michelin Power Rain Tires Ready to Take on the Challenge
On Saturday morning, rain and track temperatures of approximately 20°C (68°F) gave riders the opportunity to evaluate all four Michelin Power Rain specifications, with Soft and Medium options available for both the front and rear. All four demonstrated their effectiveness, delivering particularly competitive lap times, just eight seconds per lap slower than the benchmarks established in dry conditions.
These performances confirmed the versatility of Michelin’s rain tires, which provided grip and confidence in challenging conditions. Ahead of the Grand Prix, Michelin’s teams had identified the Soft front and Soft rear combination as the preferred option in the event of heavy rain.
On Sunday morning, Phillip Island woke up to torrential rain, severely disrupting the day’s schedule. After a lengthy delay, largely due to weather conditions preventing the medical helicopter from reaching the circuit, the cancellation of all on-track activity seemed inevitable. However, the helicopter was eventually able to make the journey from Melbourne, allowing engines to roar back to life at around 3:15 PM.
Preparations then began for a three-lap parade, scheduled for 3:45 PM. This symbolic gesture paid tribute to the thousands of passionate fans who had braved the rain throughout the day, hoping to catch a glimpse of their favorite riders on track. The Michelin Power Rain tires were ready to take on the challenge, even though conditions ultimately prevented the Grand Prix from going ahead.
Piero Taramasso, Michelin Motorsport Two-Wheel Competition Manager
“This weekend at Phillip Island perfectly illustrated the challenges of this circuit, where weather conditions can change very quickly. On Friday, we worked with track temperatures reaching 47°C, before facing wet conditions and track temperatures of just 20°C on Saturday morning, followed by a return to dry conditions for the Tissot Sprint.
“In dry conditions, our tire allocation performed exactly as expected. The Hard front confirmed its excellent stability, while the Soft rear delivered plenty of grip and very good consistency. In the wet, the Michelin Power Rain tires also performed extremely well, with competitive lap times and very positive feedback from the riders.
“We were fully prepared for the Grand Prix, even in heavy rain. Unfortunately, the weather conditions prevented the race from taking place. We regret the cancellation, especially for the passionate fans who came to Phillip Island. The parade organized in their honor was a wonderful initiative, giving them an opportunity to see their favorite riders despite these exceptional circumstances. From a technical standpoint, we leave Australia with a very positive assessment.”
Next Stop: Malaysia
The FIM MotoGP World Championship will continue its overseas tour at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia, where high temperatures and abrasive asphalt will present a new set of challenges for Michelin Power tires.
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