MotoGP riders will have a greater variety of tires to choose from as of this weekend's Czech Grand Prix, following the approval by Grand Prix Commission of a proposal from supplier Bridgestone.
Under the new tire allocation regulations, every rider will be able to choose from a selection of three different compounds of front slick per weekend. An additional softer option compound will also be made available, but will only be eligible for use if track conditions dictate it is necessary for safety reasons. Previously, riders could only choose from two different compounds of front tire, with a maximum of eight individual tires allowed.
An additional change has been made to rear tire regulations. Whereas previously each rider was given five softer and five harder rears, now they will have more freedom of choice on rear compounds. As of Brno, each rider will be able to use to six examples of one compound and four of the other, or stick with taking five of each.
"The Czech Republic Grand Prix is the first for our new tire supply system and I am confident that with it we will be able to answer satisfactorily what the riders have been asking for in terms of a greater choice of softer compounds specifically to improve warm-up performance," said Bridgestone motorsport manager Hiroshi Yamada. "Brno is an abrasive circuit so grip is usually quite high, but I expect the softer compound options to be well used in the cooler morning sessions in particular.
"After a summer break since the last round at Laguna Seca, I'm sure everyone is recharged and eager to get back to racing and I hope that in changing our tire supply system we can play our part in contributing to close competition and an exciting title race in the second half of this season."