Organisers blame unpredictable February weather and punishing track surface for compulsory tyre swaps
The race format for the season-opening Australian Round has been confirmed, with mandatory pit stops required in both the WorldSBK and WorldSSP categories. Both classes will adopt a flag-to-flag format, with all riders required to make a mandatory pit stop for tyre changes. The decision has been made in light of the unpredictable weather conditions and fluctuating track temperatures anticipated at Phillip Island from the 21st to the 23rd of February. Combined with the circuit’s distinctive layout and demanding surface, these factors have led the FIM and Dorna to keep precautionary measures in place to maintain rider safety and competitive racing.

Riders in the WorldSBK category will adhere to a maximum of 11 laps per rear tyre, while WorldSSP riders will be limited to 10 laps per rear tyre. This has resulted in race distances for both WorldSBK Race 1 and Race 2 being set at 20 laps each, with competitors allocated two additional sets of tyres for the weekend.

The format was first introduced last year after the circuit’s fresh resurfacing lead to fears that the tyres could degrade too quickly, potentially causing retirements or crashes. In order to maintain safe tyre swaps and avoid large gaps throughout the field, a minimum 63 second pit lane time limit was enforced. This theoretically equalises the time riders spend in getting fresh tyres, although Razgatlioglu incurred a 5 second penalty by leaving pit lane too quickly in race 1 last season (a 5 second penalty is given for every second under the mandatory limit a rider spends in pit lane).

Gregorio Lavilla, WorldSBK Executive director, stated: “Phillip Island is renowned for its thrilling, high-speed layout, but it also presents unique challenges due to its surface and rapidly changing weather. Despite improvements to the track conditions over time, it remains extremely demanding, especially if you bear in mind it will be the first round of the season where teams are still fine-tuning their basic set-up. Based on our experience at Phillip Island, we concluded that enforcing a mandatory pit stop is the best approach to uphold the quality of the racing. By adopting this format, we’re ensuring that all participants can compete under fair and secure conditions at what promises to be an exciting start to the season.”