Pit Stops To Be Compulsory For Both WorldSBK And WorldSSP At Phillip Island Round

By David Emmett |

The WorldSBK series will once again see mandatory pit stops for the WorldSBK and WorldSSP classes, as was the case during the 2024 round. The combination of the new surface at Phillip Island, laid ahead of the 2024 season, the high speeds around the circuit's long left handers, and the abrasiveness of the asphalt place very high loads on tires and generate exceptionally high temperatures. Last year, Pirelli said that they had seen 160°C in pit lane, which translates to nearly 200°C on track.

WorldSBK is also fortunate to visit Phillip Island in February, at the height of the Australian summer. That raises both air and asphalt temperatures, which puts more heat into the tires. 

A resurfaced Phillip Island circuit always causes problems. A new surface means more grip, and allows riders to go much faster. Higher speeds mean higher loads and higher track temperatures. Times for the WorldSBK class were around 1.5 seconds faster last year than they had been in 2023 on the old asphalt.

WorldSBK riders will have to come in to swap tires before the end of the 11th lap of the main races, while WorldSSP will have to come in before the end of the 10th lap. The WorldSBK race is scheduled to be 20 laps, WorldSSP 18 laps.

The WorldSBK round is scheduled to take place at Phillip Island from 21st to 23rd of February. The official press release on mandatory pit stops appears below:

Mandatory pit-stop retained for 2025

Phillip Island races

Ahead of the 2025 Australian Round, it has been confirmed that the WorldSBK and WorldSSP races will follow a flag-to-flag format, requiring all riders to make a mandatory pit stop for tyre changes.

This decision comes in response to concerns regarding the unpredictable weather and wide range of track temperatures expected at Phillip Island from February 21st to 23rd. Combined with the circuit’s unique layout and challenging surface, these factors have necessitated this precautionary measure to ensure the safety and competitiveness of the event. A similar approach was implemented successfully during the 2024 season following the circuit’s resurfacing.

Following extensive analysis of the circuit’s characteristics, the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) and Dorna WSBK Organization (DWO) determined that rear tyres must not exceed 11 laps for the WorldSBK class and 10 laps for the WorldSSP class. As a result, the race distances for WorldSBK Race 1 and Race 2 will be set at 20 laps, with riders allocated two additional sets of tyres for the weekend.

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.”

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Comments

...that I like the idea of mandatory pit stops. I don't much like anything that's mandatory.

In GP they don't force a rider to pit if it starts raining. It's up to the rider to decide if pitting and switching to wets is the right choice. Obviously they go slower on slicks, but it doesn't affect the 'quality' of the racing, IMO.

Tire issues? Slow down. If you think you can gain an advantage by pitting...go for it.

Just one old man's thinking.

It's all been done before: the infamous Marquez DQ at Phillip Island in 2016 in the Bridgestone era springs to front of mind. It's not a question of liking it or not, no-one wants to see a tyre delaminate at 350kph, and the tyre manufacturer should not suffer the loss of reputation if a rider/team have tried to do exactly what they were warned against.

As Gregorio Lavilla (an ex Factory rider who knows a thing or two about both WSBK and Phillip Island) states in the press release re Phillip Island: "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."

FYI, just this week the temperature in Melbourne (capital of the State) ranges from 19degC (66degF) to 34degC (93degF) with February hotter again....and just as variable.

of Mr LaVilla's credentials. I also understand why it's being done. I just don't like the way it's being implemented. At least eliminate the minimum time in the pits. It's a race after all. Why not extend it to the pit stop, and let the fastest team gain an advantage?

 

 

The teams never do pitstops in the heat of a race, except in special circumstances of course. They don't have the practice of an F1 team that does hundreds or thousands of practice attempts. To alleviate pressure and potential mistakes, they enforce a minimum time. It's not very fun but you're not gonna hear me complain the riders aren't taking enough risk already.

I've never watched a WSBK flag to flag, but does the defined time pit stop spoil the racing? Has a great battle on track been ruined by a 5 second time penalty after the flag? Would it improve anything if they let the teams build a second bike for a planned flag-to-flag like this?

I understand that the goal of not having the second bike built is to "reduce cost" but since every team has a second-bikes-worth of prepared sub-assemblies, why not let them put it together when they know they need to pit in the race?

Maybe it doesn't make any difference.

If anything the complication adds a bit of intrigue: no more than 11 laps in a 20 lap race gives a 2 lap window (I think?) so there is quite some strategy and quick thinking involved depending on your situation. Even those not in favour will be holding their breath for the duration of the entry - stop - exit if things are really tight. 

There will be way more than a 5 sec time penalty for what is a safety issue (and allowing for pit entry/exit), remembering here Marquez' DQ for getting too cute with the rules back in 2016.

As for the second bike, it's never just a case of having the spares "preassembled" as the second bike, sure it's easy to transport that way but no team wants to have to disassemble something just to access parts that should have been freely available. It makes quick repairs impossible for all but the most superficial things. So inevitably it becomes 2 bikes plus spares and you're back to needing a much bigger budget.

They're switching tires, that's it. Something the teams have done a million times. It's frustrating enough (but completely justified) that they have to cruise in and out of the pits at 60kph. Let's see who can perform the most efficient pit stop.  

That's a very tough question Rick650

I've seen perfect motorcycle racing weather at Philip Island. Often briefly between showers. Rare weeks of fabulous weather. Usually in early autumn. After an èl Niño when the Indian Ocean dipole is positive and the Southern oscillation index is favourable.

Simple. 

Sometimes it is glorious, calm and sunny. An hour later P.I. has rain blown by wind from Antarctica.

The locals say that if you don't like the weather; wait ten minutes.