FIA, ACO Open Tender for Hypercar Tire Supplier from 2030

Photo: Javier Jimenez/DPPI

The FIA and ACO have opened a tender for the exclusive tire supply contract for the World Endurance Championship’s Hypercar class from 2030.

Published in a 47-page document last Friday, the tender would be through at least the 2032 season, which includes the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Michelin, which recently signed a contract extension with IMSA to be the ‘Official Tire’ of the WeatherTech Championship through 2035, also currently serves as the WEC Hypercar tire partner, in a deal that expires at the end of the 2029 season.

A new generation of Michelin Pilot Sport Endurance tires are set to launch in both championships next year.

The new agreement for the WEC, meanwhile, could be extended by two years to include the 2033 and 2034 seasons for “regulatory stability of the championship” according to the document.

The tire manufacturer must be able to provide an estimated allocation of 8,300 slick tires, when factoring in 18 cars per year for race and testing purposes, made with at least 70 percent sustainable materials such as recycled carbon black, metals and fabrics.

A total of four compounds must be made available, the same as the current agreement, which sees three slick tire specifications (two for all regular WEC races and three at Le Mans) and one wet-weather tire for all races.

Pricing should be at a fixed price and meet the target of €900 ($1,054 USD) per tire, according to the document.

A deadline of April 15 has been established for bids, with the notification of final decision set to be made on June 12, the Friday before the 2026 running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the same date the ACO typically holds its annual Le Mans press conference.

It’s understood that Goodyear, which recently strengthened its position with the ACO in additional marketing activities at Le Mans, including the renaming of the Dunlop bridge to Goodyear for next year, is set to submit a bid, along with incumbent Michelin.

Goodyear currently holds the exclusive tire supply deal for the LMGT3 classes in the WEC and European Le Mans Series, which is currently due to expire at the end of the 2026 seasons. It also supplies tires for the LMP2 class in the ELMS and at Le Mans.

Source: Sports Car 365