Michelin has determined to delay the introduction of its new FIA WEC Hypercar and IMSA GTP class tires by a yr, to the beginning of the 2026 season.
The French tire producer’s determination comes within the wake of a take a look at with the brand new rubber at Circuit of The Americas final week, which shaped a part of a multi-day run on the Austin-based circuit for almost all of the WEC’s Hypercar producers forward of Lone Star Le Mans.
Based on Michelin, a number of causes led to the delay, together with the truth that its dry tire take a look at program in Europe earlier this yr on the Autodromo do Algarve was severely disrupted by hostile climate.
An organization spokesperson additionally instructed RACER that strategically, Michelin feels there isn’t a want to maneuver rapidly to a brand new vary because of the capabilities of its present providing and believes that this transfer will give its engineers ample time for fine-tuning.
“Michelin is at the moment creating its new vary of Pilot Sport tires for endurance racing,” Michelin endurance racing program supervisor Pierre Alves stated in an announcement provided to RACER. “The goal of this future vary is to enhance warm-up, significantly on tougher compounds, whereas enhancing consistency and sturdiness. The brand new tires can even comprise extra renewable and recycled supplies. Initially scheduled for introduction subsequent season, the brand new vary will lastly hit the monitor in 2026.
“In settlement with all its companions and the sporting authorities, Michelin has determined to take extra time, as there have been fewer take a look at alternatives this yr than anticipated.
“The present Michelin Pilot Sport Endurance vary is completely suited to the necessities of the FIA WEC and IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship grids and has already been built-in into the BoP course of. So, we’re going to proceed with it in 2025.”
The debut of the brand new tires is now anticipated to happen in January 2026 on the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season-opening Rolex 24 At Daytona.
