Michelin Introduces New Rain Tyre for FIA WEC at 6 Hours of Barcelona
Barcelona, Spain – Michelin has unveiled its latest rain tyre for the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) Hypercar category at the 6 Hours of Barcelona, coinciding with forecasted wet conditions for qualifying and the race.
This new compound, composed of 57 percent renewable and recycled materials, marks the completion of Michelin’s 2026 tyre range for both WEC Hypercars and IMSA GTP vehicles. Teams have been able to test this tyre during private sessions since August, allowing them to fine-tune their strategies ahead of its competitive debut.
According to Pierre Alves, Michelin Motorsport’s endurance racing programme manager, the design emphasizes performance in transitional weather. “We chose to develop a tyre that will have a good transition from wet to drying but will lack the performance of a full wet,” he explained. This approach ensures safety and competitiveness under variable conditions. “It’s very dangerous to go on a cold slick tyre on a damp track, which is why we made this decision.”
Michelin’s testing regime for the new wet tyre involved simulations at Paul Ricard, where conditions were artificially dampened to evaluate hydro performance. This was part of a staggered rollout, intentionally separating the development of wet and slick compounds to streamline resources.
The new rain tyre will also make its North American debut at the IMSA Daytona Sanctioned Test in December, with availability confirmed for the start of the 2027 WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season.
As teams prepare for potentially challenging weather at Barcelona, Michelin’s latest innovation may prove crucial in influencing race outcomes.
