The 2025 Americas MotoGP at COTA might kick off with tough situations with climate forecasts predicting a 75% probability of rain on Friday morning.
Luckily, the climate is predicted to enhance, with solely a 20% probability of rain on Saturday and Sunday – when Marc Marquez will attempt to prolong his unbeaten 2025 run and safe his eighth MotoGP victory on the Texas circuit.
However climate received’t be the one unknown with COTA having accomplished the ‘ultimate stage’ of its newest resurfacing undertaking final September.
In line with Michelin, the brand new asphalt was laid between Turns 1-2, and 19-20, in addition to at Turns 11 and 12.
Whereas this work has helped easy out a few of the circuit’s infamous bumps, irregularities stay as a result of instability of the bottom beneath the monitor.
Moreover, the darker asphalt absorbs extra warmth, resulting in elevated monitor temperatures and higher tyre put on.
Begin, 2024 Americas MotoGP
“Now we have strong expertise at COTA, however this yr’s partial resurfacing and the various grip ranges throughout totally different sections of the circuit introduce new parameters to think about,” mentioned Piero Taramasso, Supervisor of Michelin’s Two-Wheel Motorsport division.
“We all know the asphalt presents a medium stage of aggressiveness, and regardless of the latest work, the monitor nonetheless presents some irregularities. That’s why we’ve tailored our tyre allocation accordingly, whereas sustaining the identical general steadiness when it comes to stiffness.”
In consequence, Michelin has up to date the onerous entrance slick possibility with a brand new rubber compound.
In the meantime, the 2 rear tyre choices function a strengthened proper side- regardless of the monitor’s anticlockwise structure – as a result of forces generated by the triple-right sequence of Turns 16, 17, and 18.
“We’ve opted to maintain a symmetrical [compound] entrance tyre, because the circuit locations important calls for on the entrance with out inflicting extreme put on on one specific aspect,” Taramasso mentioned.
“In distinction, the rear tyre encompasses a strengthened proper aspect to raised face up to the particular stresses imposed by COTA.
“Final yr, our companions set a number of data on this monitor, and we’re assured that this yr’s allocation will as soon as once more present them with optimum situations to carry out on the highest stage.”
Ought to rain arrive on Friday morning, the afternoon follow session – the place riders combat for a direct place in Qualifying 2 – might see the primary slick laps of the weekend.
Ducati suffered its solely grand prix defeat of the 2024 season at COTA final yr, when Maverick Vinales dominated for Aprilia.
