Still ‘together’
Waiting for the WEC to return to the track, with the 6 Hours at the Austin circuit scheduled for September 6, the tender issued by FIA and the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) has confirmed the tire suppliers already present in the championship who will remain for the next seasons of Hypercar and LMGT3. In both cases, they will remain until 2032, with Michelin in prototypes and Goodyear in GT.
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The announcement was published with an official note that established the final agreement reached for another six years: “The tender procedure evaluated candidates based on a series of criteria, including technical expertise, product quality, sporting performance in different conditions, operational and customer support capabilities, sustainability commitments, marketing support, and long-term contribution to the continuous growth of endurance racing – it reads – the selected suppliers demonstrated a strong ability to meet the technical and operational requirements of the championship, while supporting its technical and sustainability program. Michelin’s presence in the Hypercar Class and Goodyear in LMGT3 will also ensure stability and continuity for competitors and stakeholders. Both manufacturers boast extensive experience in the WEC in their respective categories. Michelin has been the exclusive tire supplier for Hypercars since its introduction in 2021, while Goodyear in LMGT3 since its debut in the championship in 2024.”
The pride of the companies
Michelin expressed all its satisfaction for remaining in the WEC through the words of its Motorsport Director, Mathieu Bonardel: “We are particularly proud of the renewed trust placed in Michelin by FIA and ACO. I would sincerely like to thank both organizations for the quality of the discussions we had throughout the entire tender process. The renewal of this contract represents a strong recognition of the quality of the tires and services we provide, as well as our ability to continuously innovate. It is also great news for our teams and all the Manufacturers, with whom we share the same ambition: to push the limits of performance while accelerating the transition towards increasingly sustainable mobility.”
The confirmation of the American company in LMGT3 obviously made Xavier Fraipont, Vice President of Goodyear Racing proud: “When we embarked on this path with FIA and ACO in 2024, we were convinced that LMGT3 represented a platform with enormous growth potential, supported by the great support of fans for the racing versions of sports cars they see on the roads. Goodyear is committed to growing together with ACO and FIA, and to strengthening its position as a benchmark in GT racing and the road versions of these cars. This agreement allows us to continue bringing Goodyear’s technical expertise to one of the most competitive racing environments in the world, while pushing the limits of performance and innovation. Together with FIA and ACO, we will write the next chapter of this successful bond, both on and off the track.”
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