MotoGP’s new tyre pressure rules, enforced from the British GP, have been met with widespread criticism from riders.
In a dry race now, riders must complete 50% of a grand prix distance and 30% of a sprint inside the minimum pressures set by Michelin – which was 1.7 bar on the rear, and 1.88 bar on the front.
Ostensibly introduced as a safety measure, many riders have noted that the high front minimum is dangerous as any pressure above 2.0 bar strips the tyre of grip and braking stability.
Rising front pressures are more likely when riding in packs, particularly due to the turbulence generated by modern bikes’ aerodynamics, with the hard braking nature of the Red Bull Ring posing a major challenge for riders.
Having struggled in Saturday’s sprint, and noting how pressure management has been an issue for the Aprilia in general, Espargaro says he was forced to start last Sunday’s grand prix with a front tyre that felt flat.
“In the sprint, we had our record [for tyre pressure], we had one of the highest pressures,” Espargaro, who was ninth in the GP, explained.
“And [in the grand prix] we started very, very low, like a flat tyre. It was unbelievable. You cannot imagine how low we start and we are having some troubles also in Aprilia because we are one of the bikes that has higher front temperature.
Source: Autosport