Take a very fast, low grip, high load race circuit. Then add in fierce competition and a forecast for a hot, sunny race day and Michelin engineers may well suggest that their technical partner teams do the splits.

Running one-range harder tire compound selections on the left side tires for the predominantly right hand corners here on the 2.459-mile circuit may indeed be the choice for many Michelin teams.

“The high speeds, elevation changes, and long, fast fourth and fifth gear corners make this a very high load, high-stress circuit for tires,” said Karl Koenigstein, Michelin technical team leader.

“Running harder tires on the left side can help extend tire life. Running softer tires on the right side can help in the left handers,” said Koenigstein.

Michelin typically offers three compound options to its Muscle Milk Pickett Racing HPD–Honda (LMP1), Corvette Racing, Flying Lizard Porsche, and Extreme Speed Ferrari (GT) technical partner teams.

Michelin does not disclose which proprietary tire selections each of its team makes. The PC class entrants all run a single specification Michelin non-confidential tire.