Goodyear and Michelin extend contracts with WEC
Following an official tender process, Goodyear and Michelin have extended their agreements with the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) and the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO), under which they will continue to serve as exclusive tire suppliers for the LMGT3 and Hypercar classes, respectively, in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) until at least the end of 2032.
During the tender, candidates were evaluated based on several criteria, including technological expertise, product quality, customer service capabilities, sustainability commitments, marketing support, and more. Goodyear stated that the contract extension will allow the company to “continue strengthening its position in one of the world’s fastest-growing racing championships and use it as a platform for introducing new innovations.”
Goodyear became the exclusive tire supplier for LMGT3 in 2024 and has “closely collaborated with the FIA, ACO, and teams over the past three seasons, contributing to the category’s development and helping it become one of the most competitive and challenging GT racing series worldwide.” Starting next year, the championship will use Goodyear Eagle Medium and Eagle Slick tires, composed of 66% sustainable materials. The company emphasizes that “the long-term nature of the partnership will create opportunities for developing new innovations.”
“When we began working with the FIA and ACO in 2024, we were confident that LMGT3 had tremendous growth potential, supported by enthusiasts of race-spec sports cars they see on the streets,” said Xavier Fraipont, Vice President of Goodyear Racing. “This new agreement allows us to continue leveraging our technological expertise in one of the most competitive racing series in the world. Together with the FIA and ACO, we will write the next chapter of this successful partnership, both on and off the racetrack.”
Michelin has been involved in top-level endurance racing since 1998 and played a significant role in reviving the WEC series in 2012. “In a championship that brings together the world’s leading automotive brands, tires play a crucial role in terms of race strategy, safety, and environmental impact,” the company stated.
Michelin also highlights that participation in the WEC accelerates the adoption of new innovations: “Endurance racing places exceptional demands on tires—long stints, extreme loads, changing weather conditions, diverse tracks, and the constant need for improved efficiency—all of which accelerate the development of new technologies that can later be applied to tires for production vehicles.”
In recent years, Michelin has also used the WEC as a “laboratory for developing new sustainable mobility solutions.” For example, the Michelin Pilot Sport Endurance slicks, supplied for the WEC and IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship in 2026, are made from 50% renewable and recycled materials, “demonstrating motorsport’s ability to drive tangible solutions for the mobility sector—enabling more responsible resource use without compromising tire performance or other key attributes.”
“We are proud of the renewed trust shown in us by the FIA and ACO,” said Matthieu Bonardel, Director of Michelin Motorsport. “I would like to sincerely thank both organizations for conducting a high-quality tender process. This contract extension reaffirms the high level of our products and services, as well as our ability to continuously introduce new innovations. It’s also excellent news for the teams and all our automotive manufacturer partners, with whom we share the same goal—pushing the boundaries of what’s possible while accelerating the transition toward increasingly sustainable mobility.”
Photo: DPPI