MICHELIN’S PRESSURE FIX WAS REJECTED OVER BAGNAIA ADVANTAGE CONCERNS

Michelin’s front-tyre pressure problems resurfaced at the Indonesian Grand Prix, renewing questions about a fix the company has already tested. The issue has affected riders repeatedly: Joan Mir lost second place in Barcelona after receiving a 16-second penalty, while Jorge Martin appeared to struggle with pressure during the Mandalika Sprint and dropped out of podium contention.

Pressure management also shaped the Indonesian Grand Prix. Pedro Acosta and Marc Marquez traded places as Acosta tried to control his tyre pressure, eventually finishing fifth ahead of his future Ducati team-mate. Marquez said he had not experienced pressure trouble, but Maverick Vinales was penalised after the race, despite already running last. Acosta was furious afterwards, saying he and Marquez had looked like “donkeys”. He called the pressure rule MotoGP’s “worst rule”, while acknowledging that it exists for safety reasons.

The rule requires riders to keep tyre pressure above a minimum. According to journalist Simon Patterson on The Race MotoGP Podcast, Michelin has developed a front tyre intended to address the problem, but it was not approved for use. Francesco Bagnaia tested the alternative extensively and “loved it”, Patterson said. However, other riders either did not take part in testing or opposed introducing it, concerned it could distract them from developing their current bikes or give Bagnaia an advantage.

Patterson explained that the existing tyre was designed for an earlier generation of MotoGP machinery, before the widespread use of ride-height devices and current aerodynamic packages. Today’s bikes generate greater forces, energy and heat, which can make front-tyre pressure rise sharply. The tyre also heats and cools quickly, creating large pressure swings.

Michelin’s proposed tyre reportedly fixed that behaviour, but riders chose not to adopt it. As a result, the pressure rule remains in place for safety, even though a potential technical solution has been tested. The Indonesian weekend showed how the unresolved issue can affect race performance, penalties and riders’ frustration.