Goodyear to become sole tyre supplier in the new FIA WEC LMGT3 Class
Goodyear has been selected as the exclusive tyre supplier for the next LMGT3 class in the FIA World Endurance Championship, thanks to their success in a tender conducted by the FIA and the ACO in December.
Members of the FIA World Motor Sport Council voted this week through electronic ballot to ratify the appointment of the American tyre maker for a three-year period beginning with the 2024 season. The company is already the exclusive supplier to the FIA WEC's LMP2 class.
From the start of the 2023 season, tyre heating has been banned as part of the WEC tyre development road map, and the number of tyre specifications for the Hypercar class has been cut down to two each circuit (and three for the 24 Hours of Le Mans). The next near-term goal is to standardise on a single specification for each track (or two for Le Mans), as the LMP2 class has previously done for both dry and wet tyres.
Cars constructed in accordance with LMGTE technical standards, which have been on the FIA WEC grid since the series' inception in 2012, will be replaced by LMGT3 starting with the 2017 season. Gentlemen drivers, who have always been an important element of the FIA WEC, will continue to be the focus of the new GT class, which will be based on the existing GT3 technological platform of the FIA.
Richard Mille, FIA Endurance Commission President, said: “Tyres are one of the key areas which will evolve over the next couple of years. We have already moved away from tyre heating and we will be gradually reducing the number of available tyre compounds, therefore having an experienced partner that already knows both the FIA World Endurance Championship as well as GT3 racing is an asset. The fact that LMGT3 cars will run on commercially-available, off-the-shelf tyres is also a positive development that will bring down the costs for competitors.”
Pierre Fillon, President of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest, said: “We are delighted to have a highly reputable tyre manufacturer on board as the LMGT3 class prepares to hit the track next year. The teams will benefit from Goodyear’s expertise in supplying quality tyres at a competitive cost. Thanks to Goodyear for their commitment to endurance.”
