Michelin Ditches WorldSBK Qualifying Tire For 2027

The tire landscape of WorldSBK is undergoing a significant overhaul, as Michelin will no longer provide a qualifying tire starting in 2027, according to Michelin two-wheeled motorsport boss Piero Taramasso. This marks the biggest change in the paddock's weekend format since 2004, when Michelin began supplying tires to WorldSBK. The 2027 season brings a direct exchange between tire suppliers for the two premier road-racing series - Michelin moves to WorldSBK, while Pirelli takes over MotoGP.

For WorldSBK, this shift is particularly significant, as Pirelli has been the sole supplier since 2004. The decision to eliminate the qualifying tire is centered around cost and material sustainability. Michelin will also discontinue producing intermediate tires, citing their limited usefulness due to their narrow window of applicability between dry and wet conditions.

This leaves WorldSBK riders with the choice between full dry and full wet rubber. In a shift away from the graduated options riders are accustomed to, Michelin will offer three front and three rear tire specifications for each race weekend, allowing teams to select the tires that best suit their preferences. This change in construction may also cater to specific circuits, such as Phillip Island, where asymmetric tires could be introduced to better suit the track's challenging left-handers.