Motorsport, an accelerator of innovation
Over the decades, we are proud to have globally demonstrated the performance of our racing tires. Today, however, the nature of motorsport has changed.
The colossal challenge we face is to develop All Sustainable mass-market tires whose design and production have a limited impact on the Earth's resources, biodiversity and CO₂ emissions, without detracting from the performance that has made the MICHELIN brand a success.
WHY WE GO RACING?
More than ever, motor racing serves as an invaluable accelerator of technological innovation. The extreme conditions that are inherent in motorsport provide us with an opportunity to innovate, experiment in record time, learn, create new solutions and accelerate the development of sustainable solutions that are of benefit to everyone.
WE RACE FOR CHANGE, TO IMPROVE THE WAY WE ALL MOVE
MEET THE TEAM AND DISCOVER HOW WE RACE FOR CHANGE
LE MANS: OUR FAVOURITE ARENA FOR INNOVATION FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS
The Le Mans 24 Hours - which takes place on roads normally open to everyday traffic - submits our tires to exceptional constraints, from the track's uneven surface, to sudden weather and temperature changes. Yet our tires must deliver flawless, perfectly-balanced performance, as well as safety, grip and versatility from the race's start until the finish line!
Innovations that have changed mobility:
Since 1923: Repeated innovations in favour of long-lasting performance
Technological developments like the progress made in power-plant technology, from petrol and diesel engines to hybrid power units, the introduction of disc brakes and increasingly sophisticated aerodynamics all posed fresh challenges for tires. They needed to adapt to bigger constraints, including higher power outputs, loads and torque, while at the same time providing superior efficiency. Michelin’s winning record at Le Mans has matched the incredible revolution the race has seen in terms of performance. In the last 10 years alone, it has helped the headlining LMP1 prototypes to complete up to 466 miles on a single set of tires at an average speed of 149mph. That’s equivalent to the more than the distance covered by two Formula 1 grands prix!
Le Mans 2024: we continue to innovate for a sustainable future
The latest MICHELIN Pilot Sport Endurance Slicks and Wets conceived for today's exciting Hypercar prototypes were designed entirely virtually using simulator technology. The process has now been extended to the development of mass-market tires, resulting in significant resource and CO₂ emissions savings.
In 2024, we unveil a racing tire that contains 71% renewable and recycled materials for the hydrogen prototype MissionH24 and the all-electric Porsche GT4 ePerformance. This achievement was made possible thanks to our knowledge of renewable or recycled materials in the context of tires, with no detriment to either their performance or overall environmental impact.
OUR PARTNERS TRUST US
TRUST OUR TIRES ON TRACK OR ON ROAD
Trust MICHELIN for a better life in motion
Our tires are trusted by the most demanding - consumers, manufacturers, motorsports players and key opinion leaders ask for our products.
Leading the way in electric mobility
We are at the forefront of electric mobility. Our engineers work closely with car, scooter & bike manufacturers to design tires with performance that matter to electric vehicles owners.
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(1) Last mile/kilometer being understood as until the minimum legal tread depth (1.6 mm in Europe). Please refer to the minimum legal tread depth in your country.