Michelin is tackling the challenges at the MotoGP season opener held at Chang International Circuit in Buriram province. Michelin's rear tires, featuring reinforced structures, deliver grip and consistency throughout the weekend, effectively managing track surface temperatures reaching 58 degrees Celsius in Buriram. The “We Race for Change” concept leverages motorsports such as MotoGP as a testing ground to accelerate innovation and develop high-performance tires that reduce environmental impact.
The FIM MotoGP™ 2026 World Motorcycle Road Racing Championship opened at Chang International Circuit, Buriram province, from 27 February to 1 March 2026 amid intense heat and high-speed pressure on both machines and riders. With track surface temperatures reaching up to 58 degrees Celsius, tire management became a decisive factor in both the sprint and final races.
This year, the MotoGP 'PT Grand Prix of Thailand' enjoyed an especially lively atmosphere, drawing the highest attendance in seven years with full seating capacity. Fans packed the stands to watch the season opener, while international media and viewers worldwide followed via live broadcasts and social media. To enhance the festive mood, MotoGP riders participated in the “Tuk Tuk Challenge,” where world champions faced off in a soft-power speed contest featuring 12 specially decorated Thai tuk-tuks parading the track, greeting fans and distributing limited-edition souvenirs that showcased Thai culture and boosted audience engagement throughout the weekend.
Michelin’s tire allocation for this season’s races reflects precise preparation for temperature challenges.
As the official tire supplier for MotoGP, Michelin provided the 'Power Slick' series for dry conditions and 'Power Rain' for wet surfaces, covering all track conditions throughout the race weekend. Michelin’s 24-person field operations team includes 2 product developers, 6 technicians, 10 tire fitters, 1 manager/coordinator, 2 PR officers, and 3 marketing communications staff. They closely support racing teams from tire installation, condition checks, data recording and performance analysis, to setup advice and real-time technical support, ensuring safety, reliability, and consistent excellence under the demanding race conditions.
To meet the demands of Buriram and other tracks this season, Michelin introduced an improved tire allocation with two front tire options (soft and medium) and two rear tire options (soft and medium). The rear tires feature reinforced structures to better manage temperature and enhance stability under heavy acceleration. Pre-season testing showed that the reinforced rear tire structure reduces operating temperatures by approximately 15 degrees Celsius, ensuring consistent performance over long race distances. This new allocation aligns with Michelin’s strategy to reduce the number of specifications while increasing flexibility, allowing riders to better tailor tire choices to their style and race strategies.
Mr. Piero Taramasso, Motorsport Manager for Michelin’s Two-Wheel Product Group, stated, “Buriram has always been a crucial tire testing venue due to its very high temperatures and continuous acceleration demands. With track surface temperatures up to 58 degrees Celsius, heat management is the key challenge this weekend. The reinforced rear tire structure performed as expected, delivering stability, consistency, and temperature control over race distances. The riders’ performances since Friday demonstrate that Michelin’s solutions provide grip, steadiness, and genuine freedom of choice for every team.”
We Race for Change: Michelin’s Commitment to Sustainable Innovation Through Racing
Michelin’s involvement in MotoGP is firmly rooted in the 'We Race for Change' philosophy, using motorsport as a catalyst for sustainable innovation. The extreme challenges and demands of MotoGP provide valuable real-world data for developing new tire technologies that achieve the following:
Reduce environmental impact
Enhance durability
Increase rider confidence and safety
The launch of Michelin tires at this season’s MotoGP 'PT Grand Prix of Thailand' underscores Michelin’s mission to translate race performance into sustainable solutions for the future, a commitment that continues strongly into 2026.
After an intense season-opening race that broke multiple records, the MotoGP caravan will head to Goiânia, Brazil, where Michelin will continue to play a strategic role in managing tire performance under new track conditions to help all teams maximize their race machines’ potential at the next venue.