Softer not always better for MotoGP tyre construction
"Especially in the last years it looks like the rear tyres are very soft [construction] and usually in all my career I always prefer hard [construction] tyres," the nine-time world champion said last season.
"So for this reason I suffer a lot, especially after some laps because the rear moves very much.
"We need to work with the bike in another way and make the bike more soft. And also ride to load the tyre more smoothly. If not, the tyre gives up [moves].
"With this type of setting and these types of tyres I am in more trouble; I am not able to use my style. But these are the tyres we all have and the others are able to be strong with them."
The return to a special heat-resistant rear tyre casing, last used at Buriram 2018, for Mandalika offered the current grid a chance to experience the kind of stiffer construction used in previous MotoGP tyres (albeit paired with the latest compounds).
The lack of any testing time with the modified casing caused much publicised problems for the likes of Honda and Suzuki, but lap times at the front matched those achieved on the softer 2022-tyres during February's official test.
That's because while the latest casing, introduced for 2020, offers more outright grip, it comes at the expense of stability in the faster sections.
"Through the three fast corners, 5-6-7, when you are on the lean angle and trying to pull gas and hitting kerbs and all sorts of things [the 2018 casing] definitely gave me a lot more stability and a lot more confidence to be able to hang off the bike more," said Ducati's Jack Miller. "In general, a lot less 'pumping'."
The Australian added that the stiffer casing would also improve handling at other circuits with high-speed changes of direction.
"I've given my feedback to both Michelin and Ducati about it a lot of times. For example, at Assen, we have issues with bikes absolutely doing this [shaking] and I feel that is 100% coming from the rear tyre," he explained.
"For sure, the [2018 casing] performance isn't maybe as good as something soft and malleable that gets nice and hooked up. But you need to find a compromise I guess."
MotoGP riders have been testing a potential new rear tyre casing for the 2023 season since early last year.
The revised construction is described as "a small tuning" to the present design, with the specific aim of improving warm-up performance.
"The goal is to improve the warm-up, in the first 3-4 laps, then the performance is equal to the standard [current] specification," explained Michelin's Piero Taramasso.
MotoGP should be back on the standard 2022 casing for next weekend's Argentine round at Termas de Rio Hondo.
