Leading tyre manufacturer and MotoGP tyre partner Michelin had introduced a new rear tyre carcass for the 2020 MotoGP season which offers better durability and traction. The tyre is said to be suitable for the extreme conditions in which the riders ride their motorcycles.
However, the new Michelin rear tyre is not satisfactory according to the riders and their riding styles. Andrea Dovizioso rider of the Ducati and many others said that they are struggling with the performance of the new Michelin rear tyre for MotoGP
It is a known fact that the Honda Motorcycles-2020 is difficult to ride because of the grip the rear tyre provides. The team stated that the rear tyre along with an inertia problem due to the engine setup is causing trouble while braking for entering corners.
Alex Marquez, Stefan Bradl and LCR's Cal Crutchlow have also mentioned that they were struggling to extract the performance from the tyre in qualifying.
Speaking during the Catalan Grand Prix weekend about where the Honda needs to improve, Takeo Yokoyama said: "I think what we are working on the most is how to use the maximum potential from the new rear tyre construction.
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"Honestly speaking, I don't think we are using the maximum [from the tyre] because there are some areas we had to change a lot the bike.
"The philosophy of the Honda from the tradition... we have to try a lot of things, actually a lot more than we expected when they decided to change the tyre. We are trying a lot of things.
"I wouldn't necessarily agree [the Honda deflects the tyre more], but the way to use - including the riding line - maybe needs to be changed."
As part of cost-saving measures due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, all non-concession manufacturers have had their engines not tuneable until the end of 2021 and will be unable to develop them further.
This means that the Honda will be forced to work only on chassis and suspension to improve the difficult handling characteristics of the RC213V, though Yokoyama is unsure whether this will be beneficial or not to HRC.
"Of course, if we have the freedom to keep developing the engine, this is one more extra freedom to play with - not only for the horsepower, but the handling, rideability and everything," he added.
"So, when engine development is frozen, it's more complicated.
"It's more difficult to fix the problem if you have some problems on the bike, which we do have.
"If somebody asks me if it's a handicap or an advantage for Honda, I can't really judge.
"The reality is we can't change the engine, but we still have many things around it to improve the performance."
