Race 2 World Superbike Australia on Phillip Island will require flag-to-flag. The safety issue of Pirelli tires is a major issue.
Commercial rights holder WorldSBK, Dorna Sports, has cut World Supersport races on Saturday (24/2/2018) from 18 to 16 laps, including the obligation to change tires.
Colder temperatures over the weekend lead to increased grip, and the tires experience severe wear.
In WorldSBK training sessions, a number of drivers face problems on Pirelli's rear tires, especially world champion Jonathan Rea. He was only able to finish fifth after being hit by a tire problem.
"Unfortunately, we have some tire age problems (on Race 1)," said WorldSBK Sports Director, Gregorio Lavilla, as quoted by MotorSport on Saturday (24/2/2018).
"Following a meeting with the team to discuss possible options, we decided the best way was to flag-to-flag, which fortunately complied with our rules."
He says usually the application of flag-to-flag for the purpose of climax. But now, do it for other purposes, except rain.
Regarding flag-to-flag, drivers are required to enter the pits at the end of Lap 10, 11 or 12 to replace the tires. Meanwhile, the race is believed to still take 22 laps.
This is not the first time the race format on Phillip Island has changed due to tire problems. The same conditions have occurred in the 2013 MotoGP Australia, where the drivers have to do flag-to-flag in dry conditions.
For Race 2, Sunday (25/2/2018) tomorrow, Xavi Fores (Barni Racing) will start from pole position after finishing fourth. Rea (Kawasaki) and Alex Lowes (Yamaha) complete the front row. Race 2 winner Marco Melandri from ninth position.
Meanwhile, Lorenzo Savadori is on his way to Epworth Hospital in Melbourne. He will undergo surgery to restore a collarbone fracture. The Aprilia rider missed the opening WorldSBK Australia series after an accident in Bend 6 during the qualifying session.
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