Goodyear Qatar 1812 km preview: WEC welcomes LMGT3
A new dawn for GT racing begins next weekend as the first round of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) gets underway at the Lusail International Circuit, Qatar. LMGT3 will make its debut appearance with an 18-car grid.
Goodyear is the exclusive tire supplier to LMGT3, which replaces LMGTE in WEC, the pinnacle of endurance racing. The category is based on the existing FIA GT3 platform, which is used in championships across the world.
LMGT3 brings an exciting grid including nine of the most recognisable manufacturers in GT racing, each competing with two cars. WEC has shifted towards a more accessible model with LMGT3, making for larger GT grids than in previous years.
Nine-time MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi, Le Mans winner Jose Maria Lopez, and F1 Academy driver Doriane Pin are among the talented drivers going for glory this season.
Qatar is one of the most aggressive circuits on the calendar with a high percentage of lateral load. The 16 corners come thick and fast after the lengthy back straight, meaning tire management will be a key component to a successful race strategy, and finding a rhythm around its 5.4km layout will be crucial to finding the best lap in qualifying and executing a consistent stint.
The tires represent an entirely new specification developed in collaboration with the manufacturers and drivers. The result is a tire that reaches its optimum performance quickly without the need of tire warmers, and lasts two or three stints depending on the circuit.
Mathias Kipp, Goodyear’s Motorsport Sales Manager, previews the first round of the season: “Once again it’s great to be competing in the FIA World Endurance Championship, this time with a different challenge as the sole tire supplier to the new LMGT3 category. We anticipate thrilling racing up and down the field, with Qatar being a great place to get a first taste of LMGT3.
“Operating at the pinnacle of endurance racing allows Goodyear to showcase its technologies and boost the development of our UUHP range of tires for the road. LMGT3 is the perfect motorsport testbed for that activity, as well as putting on a spectacle for passionate fans around the world.”
Schedule (Local time GMT+3):
29th February
FP1 - 12h20
FP2 - 17h30
1st March
FP3 - 11h00
Q1 - 16h00
Q2 - 16h20
Q3 -16h40
Q4 -16h58
2nd March
R - 11h00
About The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
Goodyear is one of the world's largest tire companies. It employs about 71,000 people and manufactures its products in 55 facilities in 22 countries around the world. Its two Innovation Centers in Akron, Ohio, and Colmar-Berg, Luxembourg, strive to develop state-of-the-art products and services that set the technology and performance standard for the industry. For more information about Goodyear and its products, go to www.goodyear.com/corporate.