Tyres and pressure: might MotoGP introduce the intelligent display?

In light of what happened in 2023, it is only logical to expect a 2024 MotoGP season in which tyre pressure continues to dominate the headlines. The introduction of real time pressure monitoring has caused difficulties for teams, riders and Race Direction, "forced" to consider values both pre- and post-race. We’ve seen it before, but the real difference has to do with the steps to be taken: only the Stewards Panel, FIM and Dorna can monitor the values in real time, while the technicians in the garage and the riders cannot.

Technology in MotoGP: data acquisition "free", telemetry "prohibited" 

Let’s start by considering the difference between data acquisition and telemetry. Essentially, we’re talking about the same thing: the motorcycle, in order to optimise performance, is equipped with sensors, detectors, computers and control units. Each of these contraptions provides measurements, whether this be throttle or braking action, or suspension function.

All of this can be monitored by team members when the motorcycle is in the garage, once laps have been completed, and not while the bike is on track. For example: Fabio Quartararo is out for free practice with one of the Yamaha Monster Energy bikes? Great, but the technicians will only be able to see this data once the M1 returns to the garage, and never in real time.

On the other hand, when we’re talking about data visible while the bike is in action, we mean "telemetry", which is in vogue in Formula 1, expensive and extremely sophisticated in that it is reliable and "live", or rather available in real time. Despite certain rules limiting and conditioning its use over the years, the telemetry used in today’s four-wheel prototype championship is very useful, in that it parametrizes various aspects of the single-seater such as engine revs, rear wing effect, brake pedal, accelerator, steering angle and – listen up – tyre pressure. Both those setting up the car and those driving it know what is happening.

MotoGP and tyres: "Almost everything" say the riders

With such significant power, searing acceleration, extreme braking, high-speed turning and impressive lean angles, it is easy to believe the riders when they say: “The tyres on a MotoGP are not everything, but almost. Let’s say, without exaggerating, 80% of the package. Maybe 85%”. Some would even say 90%.

Yes, because tyres are like shoes – the more comfortable they feel, the better you feel. And if, in addition to being comfy, they also offer grip and excellent contact with the ground, even better. The tyres, now extreme in terms of their grip, use and versatility, are supplied to MotoGP by Michelin.

And it is the French manufacturer that, in order to avoid incidents, has introduced a minimum pressure for each of the two tyres. With a particular view to safety. The French brand’s managers say that ducking below certain values could damage the surface or carcase of the tyre, putting the rider at risk.

MotoGP dashboard update required? That is not the limitation

Putting all this together, we understand that, for now, teams and riders cannot know tyre pressure values in real time during a race. Not even during qualifying, in fact. The technicians inflate the tyres pre-race and then simply hope for the best.

Yes, because the pre-set bar measurement – suggested by Michelin – depends on many factors, including compound, condition of the asphalt, track temperature, air temperature, humidity, suspension load, riding style, number of laps. And we could go on. And once a race is underway, anything can happen.

Piero Taramasso has explained why it would be impossible for Race Direction, FIM and Dorna to check pressure prior to the race, and that makes sense. But, we ask, why can’t teams and riders know how the tyre is performing during a race? Because it is "telemetric data"? So it seems.

If I get a fine, I want to know why. But I'd rather avoid getting one

Any infraction leads to a fine. And that’s that. OK, but is there any way to avoid the infraction in the first place? If you’re driving a car or riding a bike on public roads, there’s always been a way, in that a sign warns me: “maximum speed 50 mph”. Great, so I’ll drive/ride accordingly, right?

And so a speedometer saves my wallet, licence and, why not, myself and other road users. It is the tool that helps me to avoid punishment, as legitimate as that punishment might be. How would you know how fast you were travelling if you were to remove the speedometer? Intuition?

The same happens in MotoGP. Tyres are inflated prior to the Sprint or main race and then they race. If there were no such rule or related penalty, then we wouldn’t ask the question. We’d simply write about something else. But in light of the rule, we wonder whether an updated dashboard that includes this measurement, connected directly to the sensors used by the Promoter, wouldn’t make it all a lot more transparent, easy and… hard to dispute. If it’s black and white at the end of the race, then it was black and white throughout the race too. Only in this way can riders control the situation. In part. Unless they don’t like results based on this concept.