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Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R - Test Results

Test Statistics

6

Tests Completed

2nd

Average Position

1st

Best Result

4th

Worst Result

Performance Analysis

Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R - Official Image

Across six summer/track-focused tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R shows a clear pattern: it is primarily a dry-conditions lap-time tyre with frequent front-running results and multiple accolades (including a test win). In several comparisons it delivers class-leading or near-leading dry braking and dry handling, and it is consistently described as a serious track-day option when conditions are warm and dry.

The recurring limitation is wet-surface performance, where it is repeatedly several percent off the best (often high-teens in wet braking) and commonly ranks in the bottom half of the field. A secondary theme is that its long-run pace/durability is not consistently class-leading (including a direct mention of poor long-run durability in a major group test), meaning its best use-case is outright dry speed rather than wet confidence or extended-session consistency.

Performance Strengths
  • Dry Braking Performance Strong
    • 1st place dry braking in 2020 test (43.55 m, 1/3) on 325/30 R21
    • 1st place dry braking in 2020 head-to-head (43.55 m, 1/2) on 315/30 R21
    • 2nd place dry braking in 2024 test (27.2 m, 2/6, +1.5% from best) on 335/30 R21
    • 2nd place dry braking in 2026 AutoBild track test (29.99 m, 2/7, +4.1% from best)
  • Dry Handling / Lap Time (Single-Lap Pace) Strong
    • 1st place dry handling in 2020 test (63.2 s, 1/3) and overall test winner
    • 1st place dry handling in 2020 head-to-head (71.8 s, 1/2)
    • 2nd place dry handling in 2024 test (139.33 s, 2/6, +0.3% from best)
    • In 2026 AutoBild, dry handling remained competitive (150.09 s, 4/7, +1.6% from best)
  • Subjective Dry Feel / Driver Confidence (Dry) Moderate
    • 1st place subjective dry handling in 2025 comparison (10 points, 1/3) despite only 3rd in absolute dry lap times
    • 2nd place subjective dry handling in 2025 multi-tyre track test (8.5 points, 2/5)
  • Efficiency Metrics (Aquaplaning Straightline & Rolling Resistance) Moderate
    • 2nd place straight aquaplaning in 2025 test (73.4 km/h, 2/5, +1.5% from best)
    • 2nd place rolling resistance in 2025 test (9.4 kg/t, 2/5, +5.6% from best)
Performance Weaknesses
  • Wet Braking Performance Strong
    • 6th place wet braking in 2026 AutoBild track test (55.5 m, 6/7, +18.1% from best)
    • 2nd place wet braking in 2020 test (2/2, +17.2% from best) comparing Cup 2 vs Cup 2 R
    • 2nd place wet braking in 2020 group test (2/3, +19.7% from best)
    • 3rd place wet braking in 2025 test (33.04 m, 3/5, +18.2% from best)
  • Wet Handling / Wet Lap Time Strong
    • 5th place wet handling in 2025 test (111.67 s, 5/5, +7.5% from best)
    • 5th place wet handling in 2024 test (78.9 km/h, 5/5, +6.5% from best)
    • 2nd place wet handling in 2020 group test (113.3 s, 2/3, +6.4% from best) and 2020 head-to-head (2/2, +8.1% from best)
    • In 2026 AutoBild, wet handling was only mid-pack (138.49 s, 4/7, +7.2% from best) despite the tyre's track focus
  • Long-Run Consistency / Durability Under Track Use Moderate
    • 2026 AutoBild: described as having "poor long-run durability" and finishing joint 4th overall despite high price
    • Long-run dry handling results are not consistently leading: 4th in 2024 (146.32 s, 4/6, +2.7% from best) and 4th in 2026 (157.27 s, 4/7, +3.2% from best)
  • Dry Performance Variability Across Tests (Not Always the Fastest) Minor
    • 2025 multi-tyre track test: 5th place dry handling (81.51 s, 5/5, +2.5% from best) and 4th place dry braking (+3.4% from best)
    • 2025 track vs Hoosier/Bridgestone: 3rd place dry handling (86.9 s, 3/3, +1.0% from best) and 3rd place autocross (41.17 s, 3/3, +0.9% from best)
Performance Over Time

Test History

4
of 7
2026 AutoBild Track Day Tyre Test

2026
Winner: Pirelli P Zero Trofeo RS

The Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R was originally developed for the BMW M4 CSL, and on the M2 it does not feel fully at home. The compound is noticeably harder than the competition, which gives it th...
Strong:
Dry Braking
Weak:
Wet Braking
View Test
2
of 5
The FASTEST Track Tyres In The World Tested Recommended

2025
Winner: Pirelli P Zero Trofeo RS

The Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R finished 2nd overall. In the dry it was towards the back on the stopwatch, but it still scored 2nd in subjective dry handling, so it felt better than the lap time s...
Strong:
Subj. Dry Handling, Rolling Resistance, Straight Aqua
Weak:
Dry Braking, Dry Handling, Subj. Wet Handling, Wet Handling
View Test
2
of 3
Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R vs Hoosier TrackAttack Pro vs Bridgestone Potenza RE71 RS Highly Rec.

2025
Winner: Hoosier TrackAttack Pro

The Cup 2 R is the OE tyre, and as expected, it felt like the purest driving experience. It had loads of grip, the M3s front and rear worked beautifully together, the steering was fast, but it was ...
Strong:
Dry Handling Long Run, Subj. Dry Handling
Weak:
Dry Handling, Dry Handling - Autocross
View Test
2
of 6
The BEST Track Day Tyres for 2024

2024
Winner: Pirelli P Zero Trofeo RS

The Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R (N0) was a formidable contender in dry conditions, delivering blistering single-lap pace and precise handling. Drivers praised the Cup 2 R's immediate turn-in respo...
Strong:
Dry Braking, Dry Handling
Weak:
Wet Braking, Wet Handling
View Test
1
of 2
Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 VS Cup 2 R - Tested

2020

View Test
1
of 3
Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R VS Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport RS VS Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R Winner

2020

While the Cup 2 R is now equalled on first lap pace by the new Goodyear SuperSport RS, the longer run pace means its still the best in the category of extreme performance track tyres.
Strong:
Tyre Weight, Dry Braking, Dry Handling, Wet Braking, Wet Handling
View Test