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Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R VS Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport RS VS Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R

Jonathan Benson
Tested and written by Jonathan Benson
2 min read Updated
Contents
  1. Introduction
  2. Testing Methodology
    1. Categories Tested
  3. Data
    1. Front 265/35 R20
    2. Rear 325/30 R21
  4. Dry
  5. Wet
  6. Weight
  7. Results
  8. Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R
  9. Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport RS
  10. Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R

Testing Methodology

Test Driver
Jonathan Benson
Tire Size
325/30 R21
Test Location
Professional Proving Ground
Test Year
2020
Tires Tested
3
Show full testing methodology Hide methodology

Every tire is tested using calibrated instrumented measurement and structured subjective assessment. Reference tires are retested throughout each session to correct for changing conditions, ensuring fair, repeatable comparisons. Multiple reference sets are used where needed so that control tire wear does not affect accuracy.

We use professional-grade testing equipment including GPS data loggers, accelerometers, and calibrated microphones. All tires are broken in and conditioned before testing begins. For full details on our equipment, preparation process, and calibration procedures, see our complete testing methodology.

Categories Tested

Dry Braking

For dry braking, I drive the test vehicle at an entry speed of 110 km/h and apply full braking effort to a standstill with ABS active on clean, dry asphalt. I typically use an 100–5 km/h measurement window. My standard programme is five runs per tire set where possible, although the sequence can extend to as many as fifteen runs if conditions and tire category justify it. I analyse the full set of runs and discard statistical outliers before averaging. Reference tires are run repeatedly throughout the session to correct for changing conditions.

Dry Handling

For dry handling, I drive at the limit of adhesion around a dedicated handling circuit with ESC disabled where possible so I can assess the tire's natural balance, transient response, and limit behaviour without electronic intervention masking the result. I usually complete between two and five timed laps per tire set, depending on the circuit, tire type, and consistency of conditions. I exclude laps affected by clear driver error or obvious environmental inconsistency. Control runs are carried out frequently throughout the session, and I often use multiple sets of control tires so that wear on the references does not become a meaningful variable. For more track-focused products, I also do endurance testing, which is a set number of laps at race pace to determine tire wear patterns and heat resistance over longer driving.

Wet Braking

For wet braking, I drive the test vehicle at an entry speed of 88 km/h and apply full braking effort to a standstill with ABS active on an asphalt surface with a controlled water film. I typically use an 80–5 km/h measurement window to isolate tire performance from variability in the initial brake application. My standard programme is eight runs per tire set where possible, although the sequence can extend to as many as fifteen runs if conditions and tire category justify it. I analyse the full set of runs and discard statistical outliers before averaging. To correct for changing conditions, I run reference tires repeatedly throughout the session — in wet testing, typically every three candidate test sets.

Wet Handling

For wet handling, I drive at the limit of adhesion around a dedicated handling circuit. I generally use specialist wet circuits with kerb-watering systems designed to maintain a consistent surface condition. ESC is disabled where possible so I can assess the tire's natural balance, transient response, and limit behaviour without electronic intervention masking the result. I usually complete between two and five timed laps per tire set, depending on the circuit, tire type, and consistency of conditions. I exclude laps affected by clear driver error or obvious environmental inconsistency. Control runs are carried out frequently throughout the session, and I often use multiple sets of control tires so that wear on the references does not become a meaningful variable.

Score Weighting Hide Score Weighting

How each category is weighted in the overall score:

Dry 39%
Dry Braking 50%
Dry Handling 50%
Wet 56%
Wet Braking 50%
Wet Handling 50%
Comfort 6%
Tire Weight 100%
The Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport RS, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R and Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R are regarded as three of the fastest road-legal track day tires in the world. To find out which of these three semi slick tires reigns supreme, I've borrowed a 991.2 Porsche 911 GT3 RS, and have use of Michelin's tire test facility in central France to run my own testing program.

Not being satisfied with just running dry handling, I'm going to test the tires in wet handling, dry and wet braking, and of course the all important dry handling, to find out which tire is fastest in which conditions.

Data

 

Front 265/35 R20

Rear 325/30 R21

Tire DOT Code Weight DOT Code Weight
Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport RS N0 1020 DMBK JM1R 11.05 3719 DMCB JE1R 14.29
Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R N0 3519 6U0F 0HEX 11.14 0220 6U2U 00CX 14.76
Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R 3819 XJX0 V683 11.34 4219 XJ19 V684 15.33

Dry

Dry Braking

Spread: 4.93 M (11.3%)|Avg: 46.44 M
Dry braking in meters (Lower is better)
Dry Braking: Safety Impact: Best vs Worst Tire

Dry Handling

Spread: 1.70 s (2.7%)|Avg: 63.77 s
Dry handling time in seconds (Lower is better)
  1. Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R
    63.20 s
  2. Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport RS
    63.20 s
  3. Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R
    64.90 s

Wet

Wet Braking

Spread: 12.58 M (33%)|Avg: 44.85 M
Wet braking in meters (Lower is better)
Wet Braking: Safety Impact: Best vs Worst Tire

Wet Handling

Spread: 10.40 s (9.8%)|Avg: 112.21 s
Wet handling time in seconds (Lower is better)
  1. Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R
    106.47 s
  2. Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R
    113.30 s
  3. Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport RS
    116.87 s

Weight

Tire Weight

Spread: 2.66 Kg (5.2%)|Avg: 51.94 Kg
Tire Weight Per Set (Lower is better)
  1. Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport RS
    50.68 Kg
  2. Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R
    51.80 Kg
  3. Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R
    53.34 Kg

Results

Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 1st 43.55 M 100%
Dry Handling 1st 63.2 s 100%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 2nd 45.68 M 38.15 M +7.53 M 83.52%
Wet Handling 2nd 113.3 s 106.47 s +6.83 s 93.97%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Tire Weight 2nd 51.8 Kg 50.68 Kg +1.12 Kg 97.84%
Test Winner 2020 Cup Tire Test Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R
Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport RS
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 2nd 47.28 M 43.55 M +3.73 M 92.11%
Dry Handling 1st 63.2 s 100%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 3rd 50.73 M 38.15 M +12.58 M 75.2%
Wet Handling 3rd 116.87 s 106.47 s +10.4 s 91.1%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Tire Weight 1st 50.68 Kg 100%
2nd

Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R

325/30 R21
Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 3rd 48.48 M 43.55 M +4.93 M 89.83%
Dry Handling 3rd 64.9 s 63.2 s +1.7 s 97.38%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 1st 38.15 M 100%
Wet Handling 1st 106.47 s 100%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Tire Weight 3rd 53.34 Kg 50.68 Kg +2.66 Kg 95.01%
Highly Recommended 2020 Cup Tire Test Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R

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