Many Formula 1 fans have recently been voicing strong criticism about the current state of the sport, particularly regarding the Pirelli tyres. A growing number of spectators are unhappy with how much modern F1 racing revolves around tyre management, often at the expense of raw speed and pure performance. On social media platforms, it is increasingly common to hear that Formula 1 has turned into a “Tyre Formula”, where performance takes a back seat, and success hinges largely on keeping the tyres within their optimal operating window and managing tyre degradation efficiently.
However, as of now, it can be argued that the MotoGP World Championship has become even worse than Formula 1 in this respect. This trend was especially evident during the sprint race held in Brno, in the Czech Republic. While tyre complaints in Formula 1 often focus on the limitations imposed by Pirelli’s compounds, at least no driver in the premier single-seater category has had to give up positions in the way Marc Márquez and Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia were forced to in MotoGP, simply to manage tyre pressure and temperature levels.
For quite some time, Michelin has raised concerns about tyre pressure issues in MotoGP. Although some sporadic cases were observed last season, the situation witnessed today in the Czech Republic was particularly striking and controversial.
The MotoGP case in the Czech Republic
Marc Márquez‘s situation might be understandable — the Spanish rider had to slow down and allow others to pass after riding in clean air from the very first lap, which affected his tyre parameters. However, the case of Francesco Bagnaia was less excusable. The Italian Ducati rider had been closely following the race leader, who was also his teammate, since the opening lap. Despite this, Bagnaia was the first of the two to be overtaken when he eventually found himself riding in clean air. The reason? He needed to let riders from further back move ahead so he could re-establish the correct tyre pressure and temperature, and thereby recover race pace.
Whether in Formula 1 or MotoGP, fans are becoming increasingly frustrated with this so-called “Tyre Formula.” In both championships, the overemphasis on tyre management is taking away from the essence of racing — wheel-to-wheel battles and unrestrained speed.
Many observers believe that relying on a single tyre supplier might be one of the root causes of this issue. Without competition among tyre manufacturers, the series is left with whatever product is supplied — with no alternatives. Once the compound is delivered, riders and teams have no choice but to adapt, without exception or negotiation.
This is a critical matter that both the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile) and the FIM (Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme) should seriously consider as they look to preserve the sporting integrity and excitement of their respective championships.
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