Michelin will remain the exclusive tyre supplier for the FIA World Endurance Championship’s Hypercar category through the end of the 2032 WEC season after winning the latest FIA and Automobile Club de l’Ouest tender process.
The new agreement covers the 2030–2032 seasons and extends Michelin’s existing commitment, which had already run through 2029. It also ensures the French manufacturer will supply the next generation of top-class prototypes when new regulations come into force in 2030.
Goodyear, which challenged Michelin for the Hypercar contract, will remain the exclusive supplier for WEC’s LMGT3 category over the same three-year period. The two manufacturers therefore retain their existing roles as the championship prepares for its next major technical cycle.
Michelin retains Hypercar contract after tender process
The FIA and ACO jointly conducted what the governing body described as a comprehensive evaluation before the World Motor Sport Council approved the appointments by electronic vote.
Michelin has supplied every Hypercar competitor since the category arrived in WEC in 2021 and will now remain in place for at least another six seasons.
The FIA assessed potential suppliers across several areas rather than focusing solely on outright performance.
“The tender process assessed candidates against a range of criteria, including technical expertise, product quality, sporting performance in different conditions, operational and customer service capabilities, sustainability commitments, marketing support and long-term contribution to the continued growth of endurance racing,” the FIA stated.
The governing body also highlighted the stability provided by retaining Michelin in Hypercar and Goodyear in LMGT3, particularly as WEC prepares for another major change to its technical framework.
Michelin Motorsport director Matthieu Bonardel welcomed the continuation of a relationship that already spans the entire Hypercar era.
“We are particularly proud of the renewed confidence shown in Michelin by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile and the Automobile Club de l’Ouest,” said Bonardel. “I would like to sincerely thank both organizations for the quality of our discussions throughout this tender process.
“This contract extension is a strong recognition of the quality of the tires and services we provide, as well as our ability to continuously innovate.
“It is also excellent news for our teams and for all our manufacturer partners, with whom we share the same ambition: to push the boundaries of performance while accelerating the transition toward increasingly sustainable mobility.”
Michelin beats Goodyear to Hypercar supply deal
Michelin faced competition for the contract from Goodyear, which made a push to expand beyond its existing LMGT3 involvement and into WEC’s top category.
Goodyear undertook development running with Hypercar machinery earlier in 2026 as part of its preparations for the tender. The decision had initially been expected around the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June before the process extended into the summer.
Ultimately, the FIA and ACO opted for continuity by retaining Michelin.
The decision also maintains alignment between WEC and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship’s top prototype categories. Michelin already supplies IMSA’s GTP field, which includes the LMDh machinery eligible to compete alongside LMH cars in WEC Hypercar.
That relationship will become particularly important from 2030, when the FIA, ACO and IMSA introduce the next generation of top-class regulations.
Michelin set for new 2030 Hypercar generation
The FIA confirmed at Le Mans in June that new Hypercar regulations will arrive for the 2030 season as part of the category’s longer-term technical roadmap.
Michelin’s new contract directly covers the first three seasons of that regulations cycle.
The original FIA tender documentation anticipated eight WEC events per season from 2030–2032 and approximately 18 Hypercars, although those figures represented estimates rather than guaranteed grid or calendar sizes. The tender also included sustainability requirements alongside the technical and operational obligations placed on the selected supplier.
Michelin has already introduced a new generation of Pilot Sport Endurance tyres for 2026, with the current range incorporating 50 per cent recycled and renewable materials.
The extension now gives the company a long development window before the next-generation cars arrive.
Goodyear continues with LMGT3 through 2032
Although Goodyear did not secure the Hypercar contract, it will extend its role as WEC’s sole LMGT3 tyre supplier through at least 2032.
Goodyear first became the exclusive supplier when LMGT3 replaced GTE Am in 2024. The FIA and ACO had already confirmed an extension through 2029 earlier in 2026 before awarding it the subsequent 2030–2032 contract.
The American manufacturer will introduce its next generation of Eagle tyres from 2027, with the new specifications set to feature up to 66 per cent sustainable-material content.
Goodyear Racing Vice President Xavier Fraipont emphasised the growth of LMGT3 and the company’s desire to continue developing alongside the category.
“When we started this journey with the FIA and ACO in 2024, we were convinced that LMGT3 represented a platform with tremendous potential for growth, helped by tremendous fan support for the racing versions of sports cars they see on the streets,” said Fraipont.
“Goodyear is committed to growing with the ACO and FIA and strengthening our position as the benchmark in GT racing, and on the street versions of these cars.
“This agreement allows us to continue bringing Goodyear’s technical expertise to one of the world’s most competitive racing environments while pushing the limits of performance and innovation.
“Together with the FIA, ACO, we will write the next chapter of this successful partnership, on and off the track.”
WEC opts for continuity ahead of 2030
The latest contracts give WEC certainty over both of its designated tyre suppliers through its next major regulations change.
Michelin will continue its uninterrupted role as Hypercar’s sole supplier and develop tyres for the new generation of prototypes arriving in 2030. Goodyear, meanwhile, retains control of a diverse LMGT3 category that it has supplied since its inception.
For Michelin in particular, winning the competitive tender ensures it remains at the centre of top-level endurance racing as WEC and IMSA prepare for the next chapter of their converged prototype regulations
