MotoGP Tyre Regulations (FIM & Dorna Sports).

Tyre regulations in MotoGP are made by the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) and specify how many and what type of tyres can be used by each rider over a Grand Prix weekend. Regulations cover accommodation for dry and wet tyres and additional tyre allowances for riders qualifying in Q1 and Q2. They usually fit new, softer tyres when they are looking for a quick lap during practice and qualification,But when racing they have to choose which tyre specification will best meet their riding style and approach throughout the race. Under wet-damp or mixed/wet-drying conditions, the MotoGP™ championship riders have to take a gamble whether to go with rain tyres or slicks, since rain tyres offer more stability when it rains but slicks enable the rider to lap a lot faster. They are created and revised by the Grand Prix Commission, which consists of members of the FIM, Dorna Sports (the organiser and rights holder of MotoGP™), IRTA (International Road Racing Teams Association) and the MSMA (Motorcycle Sport Manufacturers Association). MotoGP™ motorcycle regulations in the top class dictate that the riders participate on prototype motorcycles with up to 1000CC maximum displacement. The minimum weight should be 157kg, and the seven engines can be allocated per season. Under the MotoGP™ concessions system that guarantees the closer racing in the World Championship, the participating manufacturers can be granted a higher engine allocation per season (9-10 engines), based on how they ranked under previous Constructor points. More than 22 litres of fuel is not allowed in a full MotoGP™ Grand Prix race, and each rider is given limited tyre allocation per event.

1.Detailed Breakdown of MotoGP Tyre Regulations.

Slick Tyres

Riders are allocated a total of 22 slick tyres, including 10 front and 12 rear slicks.

Rain Tyres

There are also 13 rain tyres allocated, with 6 front and 7 rear rain tyres.

Qualifying Bonuses

Riders who participate in both Q1 and Q2 qualifying sessions are granted one additional front and one additional rear slick tyre.

Wet Qualifying

If both Q1 and Q2 are declared wet, the extra tyres allocated will be rain tyres (of the rider's preferred specification).

Tyre Pressure Monitoring

MotoGP has a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) that ensures riders maintain a minimum tyre pressure throughout the race. Riders must maintain a minimum pressure for a certain percentage of laps, depending on the race distance.

Tyre Changes

Tyre changes on the grid are permitted, but changing the type of tyre (from slick to rain or vice versa) in the pit lane will result in a penalty.

Michelin's Role

Michelin is the exclusive tyre supplier for MotoGP until the end of the 2026 season, after which Pirelli will take over.

Drona Community

While the Drona Community is not officially involved in setting the tyre regulations, they often provide commentary and analysis of the tyre strategies used by different riders and teams during Grand Prix weekends. Key Points to Remember.

1.Tyre management is a crucial aspect of MotoGP racing, impacting performance and strategy.

2.The FIM's regulations ensure fairness and safety by limiting tyre usage and enforcing tyre pressure rules.

3.The tyre supplier plays a vital role in providing the tyres and technical support needed for the championship.

MotoGP™ rules on tyre specifications.

1.Only tyres from the Official appointed tyre supplier for each class can be used at Grands Prix and official tests. In the premier class in MotoGP™ the official tyre supplier is Michelin, whilst in Moto2™ and Moto3™ it is Pirelli.

2.At each Grand Prix, in the MotoGP™ class two tyre specifications are available from the tyre supplier - of softer and harder compounds, balancing grip versus durability. Identical tyres of each specification must be available to every rider and the total quantity of tyres must be the same for every rider.

3.Teams must comply with requests by the Technical Director and the official tyre supplier to check tyre parameters at any time, which may include tyre pressure and temperature data.

2. Find out Apex - How will your tyre perform on cornering?

The "apex" in racing refers to the innermost point of a corner, where a driver is closest to the inside of the turn, aiming to minimize the arc of the bike's path. When a tyre hits the apex, it experiences the most lateral force, directly impacting cornering performance. Understanding how tyres behave at the apex is crucial for achieving optimal speed and control through corners.

Here's how your tyre's performance at the apex affects cornering?

For MotoGP, tyre control is determined by the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) and governs the quantity and composition of tyres that a rider may employ in a Grand Prix weekend. The regulations accommodate for slick and rain tyres, together with additional tyre allocation to those riders who will be starting from Q1 and Q2. Riders would generally fit on brand new, soft tyres if they are expecting a quick practice lap and a fast qualifying stint,While on race day, they have to decide which specification tyre will complement their riding habits and strategy well over the distance. Under wet, mixed or wet-drying conditions, the MotoGP™ championship riders have to make a choice about using rain tyres or slicks, which is always a risk since rain tyres offer greater stability in wet conditions, but slicks enable the rider to lap significantly faster. They are established and revised by the Grand Prix Commission, which includes members of the FIM, Dorna Sports (organiser and rights holder of MotoGP™), IRTA (International Road Racing Teams Association) and the MSMA (Motorcycle Sport Manufacturers Association).

Grip and Cornering Force

Since the tyre is moving around the corner, it goes from being subjected mainly to longitudinal forces (braking and acceleration) to more and more being subjected to lateral forces (cornering). The point of greatest lateral force is at the apex. A well-gripping tyre at the apex will enable the bike to accelerate and corner quicker.

Tyre Wear and Degradation

The peak is where a tyre goes through maximum stress and wear. tyres with better cornering capability usually have tread patterns that maximize grip and stability in cornering.

Best Racing Line

The point of highest bank is also the most important factor in establishing the best racing line around a corner. The objective is to reach the apex at the correct moment, which is where the bike's arc is at its minimum and can easily transition into the exit, enabling one to have an increase in exit speed.

Tyre Pressure and Width

Tyre pressure and width also have an effect on cornering capability. more pressure and wider tyres provide greater contact between the tyre and road, enabling more cornering force and grip.

Tread Design

The tread pattern of a tyre plays a major role in its cornering capability. tyres that are optimized for better cornering have tread patterns with bigger shoulder blocks, sipes, and grooves to ensure grip and stability in turns.

3. Slicks and Rain Slicks(Asymmetrical Slicks / Semi slicks).

Slick tyres are smooth tread racing tyres for dry surfaces, while rain tyres have grooves for wet surfaces. "Asymmetrical slicks" is not a description of a particular racing tyre. It's probably the name referring to the design of semi-slick tyres, which combine the qualities of slick and normal tyres.

Slick tyres

Design Slick tyres have a smooth tread, meaning they lack grooves or other tread patterns. Purpose They are used in racing for dry conditions to maximize grip by providing a large contact patch with the road. Limitations Due to the lack of grooves, they are not suitable for wet conditions and can lead to hydroplaning.

Rain tyres

Design Rain tyres have grooves or channels that help to displace water and prevent hydroplaning. Purpose They are designed for use in wet or rainy conditions to maintain grip and control. Limitations They may not provide the same level of grip in dry conditions compared to slicks.

Semi-Slick tyres

Design Semi-slicks combine the characteristics of both slick and regular tyres, often with minimal tread cuts. Purpose They offer a compromise between the dry grip of slicks and the wet performance of rain tyres, potentially allowing for use in both dry and slightly damp conditions. Limitations They may not be as effective in very wet conditions as full rain tyres, and they may not provide the same level of dry grip as slicks.

4. When it rains, how does the heat cycle and tyre pressure affect the race? Case study on Crash Incident - 2022 Indonesian GP (Jorge Martin)/ 2025 Alex Marquez French Gp.

During damp racing conditions, heat cycling and tyre pressure control are of paramount importance. Wet weather reduces grip considerably, and correct tyre pressure is necessary to ensure traction as well as the prevention of hydroplaning. Heat cycling, which refers to the cyclical heating and cooling of tyres, impacts their performance and causes them to degrade.

Tyre Pressure in Wet Conditions

Increased Cold Pressure

Wet racing usually demands greater cold tyre pressures (pressure at the beginning of the race) than dry weather. The reason is that tyres tend to be less efficient in heat dissipation in wet weather, so greater pressures will keep the tyres with a larger contact patch and adhesion.

Lower Running Pressure

While higher cold pressures are used initially, the overall pressure during the race will typically be lower than dry conditions. This is because wet conditions generate less friction, and the tyres don't need to be inflated as much.

Hydroplaning

Hydroplaning occurs when tyres lose contact with the road surface due to a layer of water. Proper tyre pressure is crucial to avoid hydroplaning, as underinflated tyres are more susceptible to this issue.

Heat Cycling in Wet Conditions.

Reduced Heat Build-up

Wet racing conditions typically result in less heat buildup in the tyres compared to dry conditions. This is because water helps dissipate heat.

Tyre Degradation

While wet conditions may reduce heat buildup, they can still cause tyre degradation over time. Water can affect the rubber's chemical structure, leading to reduced grip and performance.

Heat Cycling Considerations

In wet racing, it's important to manage heat cycling by avoiding excessive hard braking and accelerating, as these actions can generate heat in the tyres. In summary, wet racing requires a careful balance between tyre pressure and heat management. Higher cold pressures and lower running pressures are used to maximize grip, while avoiding excessive heat buildup and tyre degradation is essential for a successful race.

Similarity Between the Crashes

Yes, both crashes happened due to a similar root cause — tyre-related grip loss in changing weather or track conditions.
Here’s what was common

1.Both riders experienced a sudden loss of rear tyre grip.

2.The crashes were not primarily rider error, but more due to lack of traction as the tyre temperature or compound didn’t match the evolving track surface.

3.In both cases, weather and surface conditions changed mid-race, but tyre strategy remained the same — which proved costly.

2022 Indonesian GP – Jorge Martin Crash.

1.Condition: Wet-to-dry race.

2.Jorge Martin was leading but pushed hard on medium wets as the track began to dry.

3.His rear tyre lost temperature, making it almost like riding on slicks on a drying but still damp track.

4.He crashed while exiting a corner — classic highside from traction loss.

2025 French GP – Alex Marquez Crash.

1.Similar scenario — mid-race drying conditions.

2.Riders on soft rear wet found the tyre overheating and losing grip.

3.Alex didn’t pit or switch setup, kept pushing, and lost the rear on a dry patch.

4.Again, a traction-related crash from mismatch of tyre compound and surface.

5.Why Mid-Race Tyre Change Is Important?

1.Crucial takeaway

In flag-to-flag races, the ability and decision to change tyres based on the evolving track condition is often what separates a podium finish from a crash.
Here’s why

1.Wet tyres overheat quickly on dry surfaces and start behaving unpredictably.

2.Dry tyres on a wet surface never build temperature — leading to slides and lowsides.

3.Tyre performance is ultra-sensitive to temperature & track moisture.

6.Current MotoGP tyre supplier and 2020 MotoGP tyre supplier.

The current sole tyre supplier for MotoGP is Michelin, according to Michelin. This was confirmed in a new three-year contract extension that extends their partnership until at least 2026. In 2020, Michelin was also the sole tyre supplier for the premier class, says motogp.com. In the premier class of MotoGP™, the official tyre supplier is Michelin, whilst for Moto2™ and Moto3™ the official supplier is Pirelli. In addition to different types of tyres which are used in dry or wet conditions, there are also varying specifications of tyres available to the riders at each different circuit.