“We’re proud to welcome President Macron to Amiens and show the progress our team has made,” said Mark Stewart, Chief Executive Officer and President of The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. “Over the past several years, we’ve reshaped this plant—bringing in more advanced technologies, increasing automation and digital solutions to shift its production toward premium, higher-value tires.”

Established in 1958, the Amiens plant employs nearly 800 associates and produces consumer tires for the global original equipment and replacement markets. The investment also includes a strong focus on people, with expanded training, upskilling programs and active recruitment across a range of roles, from operators to engineers—to help ensure the site’s transformation supports both new technologies and the future workforce.

“This modernization is about our people and the future of the Amiens facility,” Stewart added. “Together with the French government, we’ve strengthened this site and built on Goodyear’s long-standing presence in France, reinforcing our commitment to manufacturing and jobs here.”

Designed for operations at the lunar South Pole, Pegasus will enable astronauts to travel farther, operate longer and unlock new scientific exploration capabilities in one of the harshest environments known. Goodyear's lunar tires are built to meet this challenge, engineered to withstand extreme temperature swings, rocky surfaces and low-gravity conditions while helping astronauts move safely and confidently across the lunar surface. Drawing on advanced science and decades of experience, these tires build on Goodyear's work in extreme environments on Earth and in the stars.

"From breaking land speed records to traversing the Moon's surface to pushing the limits of the world's toughest race circuits Goodyear innovations have been helping people travel safely on their own journeys for more than 125 years," said Chris Helsel, senior vice president and Chief Technical Officer. "Goodyear tires first left tread marks on the Moon during the Apollo mission, and since then Goodyear technology and the people behind it have kept making tires worth bragging about."

The development of Pegasus was led by Lunar Outpost, in partnership with General Motors, Goodyear and Leidos, bringing together expertise across automotive, aerospace and technology to support the next chapter of human exploration. This collaboration also reflects Goodyear's vision to be #1 in tires and service, leading innovation on Earth and beyond.

With a new design highlighted by a high-contrast sidewall and coverage now extending up to 23-inch rim diameters, Vector All Season 4 unlocks premium, year-round capability and convenience for vehicle segments that until now had no all-season solution available.

Doubt Nothing – Grip the Moment

Goodyear Vector All Season 4 delivers optimized performance in all conditions, from dry roads to rain and light snow, and carries the European Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) certification. Developed using Goodyear’s latest technologies and dedicated materials, the tire delivers a carefully balanced combination of capabilities without compromising any single performance area. This enables the tire to adapt to changing temperatures, road conditions, and driving styles, for reliable year-round performance.

Independent test results further confirm the performance of Vector All Season 4. In a TÜV SÜD test commissioned by Goodyear, the tire emerged as a well-balanced product[2] according to Goodyear’s internal analysis of the TÜV test results, demonstrating consistently strong performance across all evaluated performance criteria. Its performance was also recognized by AutoBild, which awarded the tire an “Exemplary” rating[3], underlining its strengths as a reliable, well-rounded all‑season solution.

WeatherReady™ Technology

The tire’s uncompromised all-season performance is built on WeatherReady™ Technology, Goodyear’s new engineering foundation for all-season capability. It combines three advanced technologies: Dry Contact Plus, 3D Blade Sipe System and a new compound formula to deliver confident performance across changing conditions.

• Certain when it counts: A new tread pattern and optimized block design support confident grip across seasons and road conditions.
• Effortless control in dry and wet: An enhanced footprint during braking delivers excellent dry and wet performance.
• Efficient and refined drive: A new compound formula improves tread wear and rolling resistance, supporting extended mobility range – perfectly suited for EVs.

Built for Premium Fitments

Designed for today’s heavier, more powerful, and increasingly electrified vehicles, Vector All Season 4 responds to the evolving demands of the modern vehicle parc with broader fitment and enhanced capability.

By 2026, the lineup will include 96 SKUs across rim diameters from 16 to 23 inches, with 66% of the range in 19 inches and above. This broader coverage marks a significant step for the all-season segment, allowing more drivers and a wider variety of vehicles to rely on an all-season tire solution for the first time. Models such as Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, Porsche Panamera and Macan, as well as Audi A6 e-tron, Q7 and SQ7, can now combine confident all-season performance with the convenience of year-round versatility.

This range expansion reflects both growing all-season demand[4] and an evolving vehicle parc. Between 2022 and 2025, sales of 19-inch and above all-season tires increased by more than 20%[5] per year, underscoring the shift toward larger rim sizes and highlighting the need for broader all-season fitment coverage.

Unapologetic Aesthetic – A Refined Premium Design

For fitments of 19 inches and above, Vector All Season 4 features an exclusive laser-engraved sidewall. The finish reinforces a powerful, premium appearance – enhancing the visual presence of modern performance and luxury vehicles, whether in motion or at a standstill.

“Goodyear has played a defining role in shaping the all-season category since its very beginnings, starting with the launch of Goodyear Tiempo in 1977 – the world’s first all-season tire,” says Ben Glesener, Senior Technology Director Product Development Consumer EMEA. “As we approach the 50-year anniversary of that milestone next year, Vector All Season 4 represents the next step in how we continue to redefine the all-season category. By raising all‑season performance and expanding the range to meet the demands of today’s premium and electric vehicles, we are making it easier than ever for more drivers to rely on a single tire solution throughout the year.

[1] https://news.goodyear.eu/goodyear-vector-4seasons-gen-3-achieves-top-rating--in-latest-adac-test/, https://news.goodyear.eu/goodyear-vector-4seasons-gen-3-awarded-test-winner-by-adac/, https://news.goodyear.eu/goodyear-vector-4seasons-gen-3-wins-auto-bilds-all-season-tire-test/

[2] Compared to average performance of the four most recent available models at the time of testing from the main competitors in the All-Season Segment (Bridgestone Turanza All Season 6, Continental AllSeasonContact 2, Michelin CrossClimate 2, Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF 3). Tested by TÜV SÜD Product Service GmbH in November – December 2024 by order of Goodyear. Tire Size: 205/55R16 94V XL; Test Car: VW Golf VIII 1.5TSI, Skoda Superb 1.5TSI (PBN); Test Locations: GPG Mireval (F), UniBW Neubiberg (D), Arctic Center Saariselkä (FIN), TÜV SÜD Product Service Garching (D). Report No. 713349044-PM. Full report available at: https://www.goodyear.eu/en_gb/consumer/tire-test-reports.html#tabs-5aee07366f-item-e41c871169-tab

[3] AutoBild (D), 2026/04/29, comparing 5 all-season tires in size 225/40R18.

[4] Tyres Europe Quarterly Update Q4 & Full Year 2025: https://tyreseurope.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Tyres-Europe-Quarterly-Update-2025-Q4-1.1.pdf

[5] GfK an NIQ Company. GfK Panelmarket EU10 + TK data, 2022–2025.

Goodyear has continued this season as the exclusive tire supplier for both the LMP2 and LMGT3 categories in ELMS, roles it has held since 2021 and 2024 respectively, supplying tires to 34 of the record-breaking 44 full-season entries. Goodyear will equip 13 LMP2, 8 LMP2 Pro-Am, and 13 LMGT3 entrants at Silverstone; more than three-quarters of the entire grid.

At every ELMS round, Goodyear supplies entrants with a single slick and wet-weather specification. For Silverstone, LMP2 competitors will run Goodyear’s newly developed ‘Eagle’ slick specification - first introduced at the 4 Hours of Le Castellet in May - featuring a special-edition sidewall design celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Goodyear Blimp. The branding debuted in Europe with LMGT3 competitors at Spa’s WEC round in May, and in the US on NASCAR stock cars during the Goodyear 400 at Darlington Raceway in April.

Teams competing in LMGT3 will run Goodyear’s proven ‘Eagle Medium’ slick compound, the same tire used by LMGT3 entrants at all other ELMS rounds, as well as at WEC races at Qatar, Imola and Spa, and at Le Mans. These tires will also carry the commemorative Blimp branding.

Mike McGregor, Head of Endurance Racing EMEA, Goodyear: “Silverstone is one of the world’s most iconic circuits, steeped in motorsport and racing heritage, so to be the title sponsor of ELMS’ long-awaited return to the UK is a privilege for Goodyear. This partnership not only underlines Goodyear’s commitment to endurance racing, but also brings us closer to our customers and fans in the United Kingdom.

“Our ‘Eagle’ slick specification for LMP2 has already shown its strengths since being introduced earlier this season, including at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. With a diverse grid of driver experience, it is vital that the tire offers drivability, is forgiving, and remains trusted to race on by an array of drivers with a range of driving styles. That same philosophy is central to our LMGT3 product too, ensuring every driver can push to the limit with trust in their Goodyear tires.”

Goodyear’s partnership with ELMS underlines its long-term commitment to endurance racing, both as a competitive platform for tire development and as a showcase for the brand’s motorsport innovation. This year’s racing activity in Europe and the US has held added significance for Goodyear as it coincides with the 45th anniversary of the Eagle brand and the centenary of Goodyear’s most famous ambassador, the Goodyear Blimp.

Fans to vote for Goodyear Wingfoot Award winners

At Silverstone, fans will also once again help decide the Goodyear Wingfoot Award winners at the end of the race.

For each category (LMP2, LMP2 Pro/Am and LMGT3), a panel of experts from Goodyear and ELMS will create a shortlist at the end of the race, before fans have the chance to cast votes on Instagram. This ‘driver of the day’ format puts supporters at the heart of the action and highlights the performances that make endurance racing so thrilling.

McGregor adds: “The fan-driven format for the Goodyear Wingfoot Award that we’ve employed in both ELMS and WEC this year has been hugely successful. So far this season we’ve seen ten different Goodyear Wingfoot Award winners across all categories, which reflects the sheer competitiveness of the ELMS grid. We look forward to seeing who the Silverstone crowd will choose to celebrate this weekend.”

Track action at Silverstone begins with free practice and qualifying sessions on Friday 12 and Saturday 13 September. The Goodyear 4 Hours of Silverstone gets underway at 12:00 BST on Sunday 14 September.

Launched following the pre-event press conference on Friday afternoon, the new tire is visually distinguishable by its red sidewall lettering. As Goodyear only brings one type of slick tire to each race, it is the sole slick tire available for LMGT3 teams this weekend.  

Relentless development in LMGT3 tire performance 

The new tire builds upon the success of Goodyear’s Eagle Medium LMGT3 tire which has been used at every race since the class’ launch 18 months ago. The durability and longevity of this tire was clear to see in last month’s 24 Hours of Le Mans, where teams were completing as many as four stints (equal to 40 laps or almost 550 km) on a single set of tires as Mike McGregor, Goodyear’s Head of Endurance Racing EMEA, explains: 

“Teams feel very confident on the Eagle Medium tire after working with it for a season and a half so far. At Le Mans, we heard from many teams that the tire could have lasted longer than four stints, but they were instead changing tires ‘prematurely’ due to driver changes and drive time limits. Teams were running the tire for four stints even on the test day, when we would normally expect them to run a tire for two or maybe three stints, due to the track not being ‘rubbered in’ until later in the race week. This impressive durability is testament to the excellent work of our R&D teams, who developed a tire that is forgiving and driveable for the class’ amateur drivers without compromising on the pace demanded by the pros. 

“Despite this success, we wanted to advance our performance – this is why we’ve been hard at work developing the new Eagle Hard tire. While its name does point to a stronger compound than the Eagle Medium, we have designed it not with additional longevity in mind but to build on the Eagle Medium’s consistent pace over the course of multiple stints. Expect to see drivers setting faster lap times well into their second stint, as this tire keeps its performance at a more consistent level further into its life.” 

With its tight corners, heavy braking zones and frequent elevation changes, São Paolo’s Interlagos circuit is the perfect location to debut the new tire. Since last year, the track has been resurfaced twice, which has added additional excitement as teams learn about the changes.  

After São Paolo, Goodyear plans to bring the Eagle Hard tire to the WEC rounds at Circuit of The Americas (7 September) and Bahrain (8 November), while returning to the Eagle Medium at Fuji (28 September). LMGT3 teams in the European Le Mans Series will continue racing on the Eagle Medium for the rest of their season.  

Eagle: An unmatched legacy 

This year, Goodyear celebrates the 45th anniversary of its iconic Eagle tire line, which links the brand’s racing heritage with its high-performance passenger car tires. What’s more, with the recent introduction of Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 in Latin American markets, fans can now experience the same Eagle DNA on their own cars. 

Previously, in 2024, Vector 4Seasons Gen-3 was the first all-season tire ever to receive the “Good” ADAC rating. [2]

The new test results highlight the tire’s well-balanced performance, reinforcing the value of innovative Goodyear technologies and outlining why the tire is a top choice for consumers and business fleets.

Highest Mileage and Environmental Balance

The Vector 4Seasons Gen-3 stood out as the best tire for mileage in the ADAC test. It lasted an estimated 68,000 km before tread wear. It also impressed with its outstanding environmental balance and was praised for its “very low abrasion, low weight and low fuel consumption”. [3]

The tire’s longevity and efficiency help ensure direct savings and lower cost of ownership, making the tire a smart investment for private drivers and fleet operators.

Excellent Performance in All Conditions

The test result underlines the well-balanced performance of the Vector 4Seaons Gen-3, which is a direct result of Goodyear’s innovative tire technologies. These include:

• Aqua Control Technology: Deep and wide grooves enhance water dispersion and offer outstanding handling on wet roads.
• Dry Handling Technology: Reinforced crown and shoulder blocks reduce tire deformation during heavy maneuvers and deliver convincing dry braking.
• Snow Grip Technology: Numerous sipes at the tire’s center provide outstanding grip and handling in wintry conditions.

A Smart Choice for Every Driver

“The Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen-3’s well balanced performance and leading mileage delivers exceptional value for consumers and fleets,” said Ben Glesener, Senior Director, Technology Consumer, EMEA, Goodyear. “This recognition from ADAC underscores our commitment to provide cost-effective tires with high performance for all-season driving.”

For more information about the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen-3, please visit the Goodyear Newsroom.   

[1]^,[3] ADAC all-season tires test, comparing 15 all-season tires in the size 225/45 R17, June 2025.

[2] ADAC-all-season tires test, comparing 16 all-season tires in the size 205/55R16, June 2024.

Your tires are the only point of contact between a car and the road. Overlooking them can lead to unexpected problems and unnecessary costs. 

Tires Tell a Story 

Regular tire checks are crucial, especially before summer journeys. Uneven wear, bald spots, bulges or cracks are warning signs of issues such as poor alignment, underinflation, or damage from kerbs and potholes. Vibrations while driving may indicate tire imbalance or structural problems.  

Tires older than six years, regardless of tread, should be replaced. Additionally, replace your tires when tread depth falls below 1.6mm or if you notice visible damage or performance declines. If in doubt, consult a professional. 

Six Simple Tire Care Tips 

Goodyear recommends these essential tire maintenance habits: 

1. Check Tire Pressure: Maintain recommended levels to avoid underinflation, which increases wear and fuel costs. 
2. Monitor Tread Depth: Ensure sufficient tread for grip and safety - replace tires below the legal limit of 1.6mm. 
3. Check Wheel Alignment: Misalignment leads to uneven wear and reduced efficiency. 
4. Avoid Overloading: Exceeding load limits strains tires and can lead to failure. 
5. Rotate Tires: Regular rotation extends tire life, especially for front-wheel-drive vehicles. 
6. Drive Smoothly: Gentle driving and avoiding harsh braking or cornering preserves tire health. 

Choose the Right Tires for Summer 

Warmer weather increases the demands on your tires. Goodyear’s premium summer range, including the Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6, is designed to deliver optimal grip, handling, and shorter braking distances in wet and dry conditions, even for electric vehicles. Goodyear’s all-season tire range, including the Vector 4Seasons Gen-3, is also a good choice for drivers wanting to maintain vehicle performance and aid safety across all weather conditions. 

Innovative features reduce cabin noise and manage the unique demands of EVs, providing comfort and long-term value. 

Proper tire care and fitting quality tires suited for the season are key to safer, smoother summer driving. Goodyear’s focus on innovation and efficiency helps drivers get the most out of every trip, no matter the vehicle. 

Ben Glesener, Senior Director Technology Consumer EMEA at Goodyear, said: “With Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 in particular, there are a number of innovations that make it a well balanced tire. It brings together Goodyear’s ultra-high-performance tire characteristics and EV-specific features, which are increasingly important as electric vehicles become more popular across Europe.” 

“While the cost of investing in high-quality summer tires may appear significant, the long-term benefits of equipping them include improved performance and comfort, and substantial long-term savings for drivers.”

If you want your tires to stay in good condition for longer, consider fitting tires from Goodyear’s premium summer or all-season tire ranges for trips this summer. 

The event combines the Nürburgring’s Nordschleife with its modern Grand Prix track to create an epic 25km lap. This year’s edition marks the second successive year that the event has been part of the Intercontinental GT Challenge, elevating its international profile as part of the global competition for GT3 cars. 

One of the defining characteristics of the 24h Nürburgring is its open tire competition, with at least ten tire manufacturers battling for supremacy. This makes Goodyear’s performance especially meaningful in an environment where tire innovation, consistency, and adaptability are put to the ultimate test. Goodyear will equip a broad spectrum of cars in the top-tier SP9 class in 2025, including GT3 entries from Aston Martin, Audi, Mercedes-AMG, Lamborghini, and Porsche customer teams, as well as a plethora of GT4 cars. 

Goodyear has also been chosen as the exclusive tire supplier for three classes: BMW M240i Cup, TCR Touring Cars, and the BMW 325i series.  This is testament to Goodyear’s ability to develop racing tires for a diverse range of race categories and back up the tire performance with first-class customer support in the pitlane and paddock where over 3,000 tires will be at the ready. 

Among the many compelling stories in the paddock, Goodyear proudly supports teams with strong values and diverse goals:  

• Four Motors’ Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, with German rapper Smudo as one of the drivers, uses fuel made from bio-waste, re-refined high-performance lubricants and lightweight components made from bio-fiber composites. 
• The #13 White Angel for Fly and Help VW Beetle is a charitable effort that raises funds during the race to build schools in Africa, a partner Goodyear has backed for three consecutive years. 
• And in true Nürburgring tradition, Goodyear tires will also be fitted to a fan-favorite Dacia Logan, bringing grassroots enthusiasm to a world-class grid. 

Goodyear arrives in Germany fresh from its biggest ever 24 Hours of Le Mans last weekend, where the brand’s endurance racing expertise was demonstrated in the LMP2 prototypes and LMGT3 categories, the latter for very similar cars to those competing in the top class at the Nürburgring. Le Mans was a test of flat-out speed and efficiency, while the Nordschleife adds the challenges of everything from tire and car versatility to weather resilience: traits that define Goodyear's DNA across two incredible 24-hour races. 

A legacy of success on the Nordschleife 

Goodyear’s 24h Nürburgring roots run deep, winning since the inception of the event in the 1970s. Furthermore, Goodyear played a pivotal role in Formula 1 history on the Nordschleife, capturing five Grand Prix victories between 1966 and 1976, the year when the circuit was declared as too dangerous for F1, with legendary champions such as Jackie Stewart, Jack Brabham and James Hunt. 

Since then, Goodyear has used the Nordschleife to test and develop road tires on the demanding 170-turn track and has a development centre based at the circuit. It is used for projects such as the validation of the Eagle F1 SuperSport range, which is OE fitment for cars such as the Ferrari 12Cilindri and the Porsche 911 GT2 RS and GT3 RS, reinforcing Goodyear’s race to road philosophy. 

If you are driving in Europe this summer, it’s important to stay up to date with differing road regulations in different countries. The failure to comply with specific legislation in different countries could result in costly penalties or, more crucially, contribute to the increased risk of a dangerous road traffic accident.

Goodyear has created a useful guide to help drivers stay compliant with national road laws throughout the continent so you can amplify your driving pleasure and feel at one with the road this summer. Please note that this guide is not exhaustive and should be used as a starting point for further research into country-specific requirements.

Why summer tires matter

Before considering country-specific regulations, it is important to make sure you have the right tires fitted for safe, comfortable, and efficient summer driving. Summer tires boast high tread elasticity and stiff compounds to perform best in warm weather in both wet and dry conditions. That means you will get precise handling, excellent grip, and short braking distances - even if it rains.

All Goodyear premium summer tires are tailored to meet the specific requirements of electric vehicles. In fact, all Goodyear tires are designed to be suitable for both electric vehicles (EVs) and traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.

Crucial elements of the relevant regulations across Europe, as they stand today, appear below.¹ It is important to note that it is always the driver’s responsibility to check the most up-to-date legislation before a trip to each region or country. 

Drivers should also remember to conduct other safety checks before a journey. These include checking your car over before you set off and inspecting tires for tread depth and incorrect pressures. 

Key legislation across Europe 

France: With France’s diverse landscapes, stunning countryside, historic towns and vibrant cities, it is one of the ideal European destinations for a summer driving holiday. 

If you are driving a vehicle into France - and most of the other European destinations in this guide - it is mandatory that you carry with you a reflective jacket, a warning triangle, and headlamp beam deflectors (if driving a right-hand drive car).

French regulations also stipulate that a Crit'Air sticker is displayed on your car when travelling to certain cities with Low Emission Zones (Zones à Faibles Émissions or ZFEs). Failure to display the correct Crit'Air sticker could result in an on-the-spot fine of €135.

In France, the speed limit in normal traffic conditions is 130 km/h on motorways, 110 km/h on dual carriageways, 80 km/h on other roads and 50 km/h in built up areas. If you drive a caravan or have a trailer, these may vary. Speed limits are lowered in rain and other adverse weather conditions in France. 

Like in most countries, it’s illegal to use a mobile phone while driving in France, however hands-free units are allowed. It's also illegal to use headphones, including bluetooth devices, whilst on the road. Disobeying these laws could lead to a fine of €135. 

Before 2020, drivers in France were required to carry a breathalyser kit with at least two disposable testing units. This is no longer a legal requirement, however it's still recommended to carry one, especially if you plan on drinking a small amount of alcohol on your trip.

Germany: Many sections of the Autobahn are famously unrestricted. But, like other European countries, Germany has a unique set of rules for drivers.

For example, if you have a navigation system that shows the location of fixed speed cameras, you must deactivate this function on the system as it is illegal to carry or use any radar detection equipment when driving through Germany.

Many sections of the Autobahn have no speed limit, which is indicated by a circular white road sign with five diagonal black lines. You can drive as fast as you feel safe in these areas, but be aware that cars can appear behind you suddenly, so take extra care when overtaking.

On the Autobahn, it's crucial to follow specific etiquette and rules for safe driving. For example you must keep right unless overtaking, overtake on the left, and use your indicator signals when changing lanes. You must also always maintain a safe following distance and avoid tailgating cars in front of you. 

Germany also enforces environmental zones (Umweltzonen) in many cities. It’s a legal requirement for cars to feature emissions stickers - known as Umweltplakette - when entering some of the major cities in Germany. Unnecessary car engine idling is also prohibited under environmental and noise laws. 

Italy: Exploring Italy by car offers a unique “La Dolce Vita” experience, allowing you to see diverse landscapes and charming towns at your own pace. In Italy, summer months bring increased enforcement of speed limits and congestion charges in major cities such as Milan and Rome.  

The Italian low-emission ZTL (Zona a Traffico Limitato) zones are strictly monitored with cameras, and unallowed entry to these zones can lead to hefty fines. Drivers should also be aware that some Italian mountain passes may have local restrictions in place during peak summer periods due to high volumes of traffic. 

In Italy, overtaking is prohibited in specific situations, including on and approaching level crossings and when visibility is limited. If you plan to tow in Italy, campervans and cars with caravans are not allowed to exceed 12 metres in length, 4 metres in height and 2.55 metres in width. 

You should also be aware of differing speed limits in Italy, depending on the type of road you are driving on. Speeding fines in Italy range depending on the speed at which the driver is caught, and the road on which you are driving. 

Like many other European countries, Italy has motorways with tolls. You can pay for them with cash or a credit card at toll booths. 

Spain: Spain is a great destination for a summer driving holiday. It has a well-connected road network and the ability for drivers to choose between scenic coastal drives along the Mediterranean and exploring the Pyrenees mountains or the Basque Country. 

Major cities such as Barcelona operate low emission zones. In Barcelona, an area covering 95 square kilometres is a low emission zone. Restrictions apply depending on when your vehicle was registered and what type of fuel system it operates. 

In rural areas, it's crucial to also be aware of speed limits, especially during the summer months when enforcement may be stricter. Goodyear recommends you research Spanish speed limits before leaving for your holiday. 

United Kingdom: For drivers arriving into the United Kingdom, it can be one of the most difficult countries to adapt to in Europe. This is because unlike in most European countries, traffic in the UK drives on the left. This also means you give way to traffic approaching on your right at roundabouts. 

Speed limits in the UK are in mph, not km/h, which can be confusing for new drivers or those unfamiliar with the British system. Limits change depending on the type of vehicle you are driving and the roads on which you are driving. The UK enforces speed limits strictly, and a large number of speed cameras are used to monitor and enforce these limits on various road types. 

There are some toll roads in the UK. The busiest are the Dartford River Crossing on the M25 and the M6 Toll Midlands Expressway. In London and some other major UK cities, there are LEZ (Low Emission Zones) or CAZ (Clean Air Zones) that charge a fee for older, more polluting vehicles to enter that do not meet emissions standards. Always check the regulations in the city you will be driving in before you enter. 

Austria and Switzerland: Austria and Switzerland have some of the most beautiful roads in Europe, making them ideal road trip destinations. But if you’re planning a trip, you must make sure you’re prepared. 

Both countries require motorway vignettes (toll stickers) for use on major roads. In summer, tunnels and alpine passes can become congested or subject to temporary restrictions due to the influx of tourists. Switzerland also enforces noise restrictions in certain areas, especially for motorcycles, particularly during the warmer months. 

Speed limits in both countries differ depending on the type of road you are travelling on. Goodyear recommends that you research this topic before you leave for your holiday. 

In Switzerland, unusually it is illegal to wash your car by hand on Sundays. While it is unlikely you will be doing this whilst on holiday, it is an important rule to be aware of. This is due to Sunday being a day of rest, as well as a concern for the potential environmental impact from chemicals entering the drainage systems. 

Other must-know driving rules across Europe: 

• Portugal: It is illegal to tow a vehicle with a rope or chain; only a rigid tow bar is permitted. 
• Netherlands: Speed limits in the Netherlands were reduced in 2020 to 100 km/h on many motorways during daytime hours to help tackle air pollution. 
• Norway: You must use dipped headlights at all times, even during long daylight summer hours. 
• Finland: If you hit a large animal on the road, such as an elk or reindeer, you must report it to the police immediately. 
• Czech Republic: The legal alcohol limit for all drivers is 0.0%. You must also keep your daytime running lights on at all times. 
• Slovenia: Headlights must be used at all times. A motorway vignette is also required for use on motorways and expressways. 
• Hungary: Hungary has a zero-tolerance policy for all drivers. This means the legal alcohol limit for all drivers is 0.0%. 
• Poland: All vehicles must carry a fire extinguisher, in addition to the standard hazard triangle and jacket. Dipped headlights must be on at all times, regardless of weather or time of day. 
• Iceland: It is illegal to drive off-road, even if the terrain appears open and accessible. 

No matter where you travel in Europe, it is important to always check the latest national and regional road regulations before your journey. Traffic laws can change and may vary depending on the local authority in the region you are travelling. Goodyear recommends that you use summer tires for optimal safety and performance and reminds all drivers to carry essential safety equipment, observe speed limits, and remain alert to variable road signage and local conditions. 

If your destination country is not listed here, make sure to research the relevant driving laws or consult local legislation before you travel. Take your driving experience to new heights, with Goodyear. You won't look back. 

_{[1] Status as of publication date of this news. This guide is not exhaustive and should be used as a starting point for further research into country-specific requirements.} 

Prepare Your Vehicle for Summer Journeys 

Whether you’re heading for a coastal escape or a cross-border adventure, summer driving brings unique challenges. 

Before setting off, Goodyear recommends that drivers:

• Check Tires Thoroughly: Carefully inspect tires for wear, cracks, or damage whilst ensuring tread depth meets both local and cross-border legal requirements. Maintaining correct tire pressures is essential for optimal handling, braking and fuel efficiency, especially when carrying extra passengers or luggage. 
• Choose the Right Tires: Summer or all-season tires  would work well on your summer adventure. Summer tires, such as the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6, are engineered for warmer temperatures, offering superior grip, shorter braking distances and enhanced efficiency in both wet and dry conditions¹. Designed for both electric and traditional vehicles, Goodyear’s summer range helps drivers achieve balanced performance. 
• Avoid Overloading: Check your vehicle’s recommended tire pressures for loads and avoid exceeding recommended limits to prevent tire damage and handling issues. This Information can usually be found on a label on your vehicle like the inside edge of the drivers door frame or inside the fuel door. 
• Inspect Your Spare: Ensure your spare tire is in good condition and properly inflated. This is a vital step in case of emergencies. Even if unused, tires degrade and may no longer be roadworthy after a long period of time. 
• Check Fluids and Cooling Systems: Top up engine oil and brake, cooling and windscreen fluids. Ensure your radiator and air conditioning systems are working efficiently to avoid breakdowns and keep everyone comfortable.

Stay Safe and Compliant Across Europe 

Driving laws and equipment requirements vary by country. Goodyear urges all drivers to familiarize themselves with local regulations before traveling.

For example: 

• In France, a reflective jacket, warning triangle and Crit’Air emissions sticker may be required. 
• Germany enforces environmental zones and prohibits radar detection devices. 
• Italy has strict low emission zones and congestion charges in major cities. 
• Many countries, including Austria and Switzerland, require motorway vignettes. 
• Essential safety equipment like first aid kits, high-visibility jackets and hazard triangles are mandatory in several regions.

Speed limits, toll requirements, and emission regulations can differ significantly and are subject to change. Always research your route and destination, and consult official sources for the latest requirements. 

Plan Ahead for a Smooth Journey 

Goodyear recommends packing an emergency kit, checking all lights and wipers, and planning your route in advance. Monitoring local weather and traffic conditions can help avoid delays and keep your trip stress-free.  

Drivers should also remember to conduct other safety checks before a journey. These include checking your car over before you set off and inspecting tires for tread depth and incorrect pressures.

“Driving with the right tires during the warmer months is essential for maintaining the ideal driving experience,” says Ben Glesener, Senior Director Technology Consumer EMEA at Goodyear. “With our premium summer tire range and over 125 years of innovation, Goodyear is proud to support drivers in enjoying every journey this season.” 

For more information on preparing your vehicle and understanding European road regulations, visit Goodyear’s summer driving guide.

Feel the drive with Goodyear this summer. 

_{[1] https://news.goodyear.eu/goodyear-tires-earn-recognition-for-environmental-responsibility-and-performance/} 

Goodyear Eagle racing tires delivered unyielding performance day and night in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, impressing with their versatility and longevity in two highly competitive classes. With the Goodyear Eagle tires consistently capable of surpassing drivers’ maximum drive time limits, this technological innovation underlines how LMGT3 is the next chapter in Goodyear’s immense legacy in international racing. 

A dry and largely flat-out race came after some unseasonably warm temperatures earlier in race week, providing the perfect mix of conditions to prove the impressive adaptability of the Goodyear Eagle racing tires used by every car in both the LMGT3 and LMP2 classes. In all, 41 of the 62 cars on the grid raced on Goodyear Eagle in the centrepiece of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) season that also brings in teams from the European Le Mans Series (ELMS) and similar Asian and North American championships.

In both LMP2 and LMGT3, teams were able to use the same set of Goodyear Eagles for as many as four driving stints (the time between fuel stops), amounting to up to 44 laps or 600 km: twice the distance of a Formula 1 Grand Prix. As Le Mans regulations prohibit any driver from racing for more than 4 hours at one time, this tire longevity matches the regularity with which teams change drivers. As such the tires last as long as teams could need them to; a testament to the relentless development of Goodyear’s R&D teams who build on the brand’s unparalleled racing heritage.

At 16:00 on Sunday, Richard Lietz crossed the line to win to take his and Porsche team Manthey Racing’s second consecutive LMGT3 Le Mans win, along with teammates Riccardo Pera and Ryan Hardwick. With five manufacturers - Porsche, Ferrari, Corvette, Aston Martin and Lexus - represented in the top five, the competitiveness of LMGT3 was clear to see. Inter Europol Competition held on for the LMP2 win shared between drivers Nick Yelloly, Jakub Smiechowski and Tom Dillmann.

Fans choose Goodyear Wingfoot Award winners

Fans at the track and watching at home across the world chose race winners Richard Lietz and Nick Yelloly as the winners of the Goodyear Wingfoot Award in LMGT3 and LMP2 respectively. The two drivers were recognised for their stellar performances throughout the race week and were presented with the Wingfoot trophies on the podium. 

At each race throughout the WEC and ELMS season, fans vote on Instagram to choose the Goodyear Wingfoot Award winners from a shortlist selected by a panel of experts representing Goodyear and WEC/ELMS. Previous WEC winners this year are Sean Gelael (Qatar), Valentino Rossi (Imola) and Ben Tuck (Spa). 

Mike McGregor, Head of Sales, Endurance Racing EMEA, Goodyear: “A year ago, watching the LMGT3 cars race around Le Mans for the first time was a special moment. This year, with the class even stronger and the competition even fiercer, the whole Goodyear team is even prouder to be the official tire partner to the category and write the next chapter in our Eagle legacy. Congratulations to Manthey 1ST Phorm and Inter Europol Competition for their impressive victories. We are particularly pleased with the longevity of our Eagle Medium slick tires, which multiple teams showed were able to complete as many as four stints before being changed, matching our targets and expectations. In fact, with tire longevity meeting the maximum drive time requirement, Goodyear tire technology is outpacing human driving limits!”

A record-breaking operation for Goodyear’s biggest Le Mans

Supplying all 24 LMGT3 and 17 LMP2 cars required Goodyear’s largest ever Le Mans operation. In total, 100 staff members - including tire fitters, track support engineers dedicated to each team, admin and marketing staff - kept the operation running smoothly. Goodyear brought 8,000 tires to the track, although numbers and footprint are kept to a minimum by only bringing one specification of slick and one rain tire for each class.

The iconic Goodyear Blimp flew over the Circuit de la Sarthe throughout the weekend as part of its 100th anniversary tour. A packed schedule of passenger flights throughout Friday, Saturday and Sunday gave invited guests, media and partners the chance to see the track from a truly special viewpoint. 

Goodyear’s representation at the track also included its popular booth in the fanzone, where thousands of fans were able to play for prizes, get race-ready with merchandise and learn more about how Goodyear’s racing activity helps develop its comprehensive range of passenger car tires. 

Luca Andreoni, Senior Manager Marketing Communications Strategy, Goodyear, adds: “Off the track as well as on it we helped put on a show for the fans. Between our Goodyear booth in the fan zone and the Goodyear Blimp in the skies, Le Mans was the perfect opportunity to celebrate two important milestones: 100 years of the Goodyear Blimp and 45 years of our Eagle performance brand. 

“We’re now focused on the remainder of the WEC and ELMS seasons, where our dozens of supported LMGT3 and LMP2 teams will fight for championship titles.”

The WEC season resumes on 13 July with the 6 Hours of Sao Paulo, while ELMS is back in action a week earlier with the 4 Hours of Imola on 6 July.

In honor of its 45th anniversary, Goodyear celebrates the achievements that have made Eagle one of the most successful tires in motorsport – starting a heritage that continues to race today both in the World Endurance Championship and NASCAR.

An American icon

Almost as soon as The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company was founded in 1898, its tires were winning races. Henry Ford chose Goodyear for his car that won a one-mile Detroit Driving Club race in 1901. From there, Goodyear’s race to road ethos was born with a series of innovations developed after a busy schedule of pioneering races: the first of many times that racing learnings translated to Goodyear road tires.

Even in these early formative years of motorsport, Goodyear knew the race track was the ultimate proving ground for car and tire performance, and used its expertise across the North American racing scene to develop the next generation of tire technology. This philosophy continued at pace as Goodyear entered the burgeoning stock car racing arena  of NASCAR in 1954.

After considerable success in North America, Goodyear’s first international win came in 1965 when Masten Gregory and Jochen Rindt took their Ferrari 250 LM to victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Then, a few months later, Richie Ginther won the Mexican Grand Prix. These two successes on the world stage kickstarted a dominant period for Goodyear tires racing on both sides of the Atlantic. 

From Akron to the world: The ‘Triple Crown’ story  

Motorsport fans know 1966 as the year of the famous Ford vs Ferrari battle at Le Mans, which was recently brought to the big screen by Hollywood as a tale of two automotive powerhouses going head-to-head for glory. Ford’s win, with Goodyear tires, ignited a period of success for the Detroit brand, and was Goodyear’s second victory at Le Mans, in a year that Jack Brabham took four Grand Prix race wins with Goodyear to earn his final - but Goodyear’s first - Formula 1 World Championship.  

To many, the ‘Triple Crown’ is celebrated as motorsport’s greatest achievement. To claim this unofficial accolade, a driver must win three immensely different but equally prestigious races: the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Monaco Grand Prix and the Indianapolis 500. In 1972, Graham Hill became the first - and, to this day, only - driver to complete the set. But if there were a Triple Crown for tires, Goodyear would be far above the competition. 

A.J. Foyt had a monumental couple of weeks in summer 1967. On May 31, he took the lead of the Indianapolis 500 with just four laps to go, securing Goodyear’s first win in that race in almost half a century. Less than two weeks later, on June 11, he and Dan Gurney crossed the line to take what remains to this day as the only all-American victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans: two American drivers, an American team (Shelby), American chassis and engine manufacturer (Ford) and, of course, American tires: Goodyear. 

Combined with Denny Hulme’s Monaco Grand Prix victory in 1967, which he followed up by being crowned F1 World Champion later in the year, Goodyear became the first tire manufacturer to win motorsport’s Triple Crown, a feat it would go on to complete on seven more occasions between 1973 and 1994. No other tire manufacturer can match this success: only one other has won the Triple Crown, but only on one occasion, and Goodyear is the only one to have combined it with the F1 drivers’ championship, too. 

If there were a Quadruple Crown, combining Le Mans, Monaco, Indianapolis with the Daytona 500, Goodyear would still be the only tire manufacturer able to claim it - counting no fewer than seven occasions including a four-year run in 1973 to 1976. 

Goodyear tires won Monaco and the F1 championship 23 more times each between 1971 and 1997, the Indy 500 every year between 1972 and 1995, and Le Mans ten more times during the 70s, 80s and 90s. With three decades of domination in the world’s most prestigious races, the brand from Akron had become one of the most recognisable names in motorsport.  

The Eagle has landed: Race-winning tires for performance road drivers 

It was during this period that Goodyear decided to invest further into high performance road tires as the sports cars of the day began to demand more and more from their only contact patches with the road. Technology transfer between the brand’s racing success and popular road tires had been fundamental for decades already, ever since those first races in the early 1900s, but the company understood that it needed a recognisable product name to communicate this and entice drivers around the world. In 1980, Goodyear Eagle was born.

With ‘Goodyear Eagle’ printed in the Goodyear logotype on the sidewall of every racing tire it produced, and the same name on its high-performance tires that were the choice of OEMs such as Ferrari, Chevrolet and Ford, the link between track and road was clearer than ever. And Goodyear Eagle tires were still racking up win after win on the track. Up until 2007, Formula 1 never had an exclusive tire supplier but, in many seasons, Goodyear Eagle tires were the choice of every team on the grid, such was the brand’s leadership in the sport. To this date, no brand has surpassed Goodyear’s total of 368 Formula 1 Grand Prix wins. 

In 2024, Goodyear celebrated an historic milestone: 70 years as the official tire of NASCAR. It is a partnership that began with the brand’s first NASCAR tire test at Darlington Raceway in 1954 and has progressed through innovations including the racing slick in 1972, radial tire in 1989, multi-zone tread design in 2013 and current 18-inch tire spec for NASCAR’s Next Gen stock car. As the official and sole tire supplier to NASCAR’s three national series since 1997, Goodyear today produces more than 100,000 tires by hand every year at its Akron, Ohio, base to service one of motorsport’s most iconic and long-standing supplier-championship partnerships. 

Goodyear’s return to international racing was celebrated with its first LMP2 class victory in the FIA World Endurance Championship 4 Hours of Shanghai in November 2019, which was followed up by a long-awaited return to Le Mans in 2020.   

This initial return to Le Mans-style international endurance racing started as a supplier to the WEC and European Le Mans Series LMP2 prototype class, then as its exclusive tire supplier and, since 2024, the exclusive tire supplier to the new LMGT3 category.   

This season, cars representing nine manufacturers - Aston Martin, BMW, Corvette, Ferrari, Ford, Lexus, McLaren, Mercedes-AMG and Porsche - are racing in some of the toughest endurance races on four continents, all with Goodyear Eagle. And, as the racing tires are manufactured in the same facility as the Eagle F1 SuperSport range of ultra-ultra-high-performance road tires, the link between the racetrack and the road in the Goodyear Eagle legacy has never been clearer. 

Goodyear expects that some drivers will be able to complete up to five consecutive stints on a single set of its slick compounds at Le Mans; covering a distance equivalent to twice that of a Formula 1 Grand Prix. 

Current regulations prevent any driver from racing for more than four hours within a six-hour window at Le Mans, which for LMGT3 and LMP2 competitors usually equates to around 600 kilometres of running. In dry conditions during last year’s event, some LMGT3 teams managed to complete stints exceeding that distance - and matching the maximum permitted driving time - on a single set of tires. This longevity is central to Goodyear’s endurance racing strategy, providing tires that maintain their performance level over an extended period of time.  

The 2025 24 Hours of Le Mans holds added significance for Goodyear as it marks 45 years since the launch of the Eagle brand; the iconic brand name uniting the manufacturer’s race-winning heritage and high-performance road tires. The Goodyear Eagle name is now synonymous with motorsport success, having graced the sidewalls of winning cars in Formula 1, NASCAR, Indycar and Le Mans, as well as some of the world’s most desirable performance vehicles on the road. 

This year’s race promises to be the most competitive yet, with a level playing field ensured by the single-specification slick and wet compounds available to drivers in both Goodyear-supplied categories. Alongside the on-track action, Goodyear will match the scale of its racing operation with a strong brand presence, including interactive fan experiences and the Goodyear Blimp flying over the circuit as part of its 100th anniversary tour. 

Mike McGregor, Head of Sales Endurance Racing EMEA, Goodyear: “Goodyear loves coming back to Le Mans each year. It’s the highlight of the endurance racing calendar and equally important for Goodyear; particularly as we celebrate the 45th anniversary of the Eagle brand.  

“This year we could see drivers running up to five stints on a single set of tires, meaning our compounds will be able to last as long as the regulations allow drivers to stay in the car. As teams always change tires during driver changes, there is little strategic advantage in pushing them any further. That level of performance and durability is the result of thousands of hours in research, development, testing, and data simulation to develop the next generation of endurance racing tires.” 

Two categories, one goal: victory at Le Mans 

Goodyear returns to Le Mans ready to equip the entire LMGT3 and LMP2 grids with its proven range of Eagle racing tires. At Le Mans, all LMGT3 teams will run Goodyear’s proven ‘Eagle Medium’ compound alongside an Eagle wet-weather tire designed to deliver maximum performance in all conditions. 

For the 17 LMP2 teams entered, with entries coming from series such as the European Le Mans Series (ELMS) as well as equivalent championships in North America and Asia, competitors will have access to Goodyear’s new LMP2 'Eagle Medium' slick specification, which made an impressive debut at last month’s 4 Hours of Le Castellet. With LMP2 no longer a permanent category in WEC, the 24 Hours of Le Mans offers these teams a rare and prestigious opportunity to compete on the world stage. 

Goodyear will bring more than 8,000 tires to Le Mans and deploy a technical support team of around 100 personnel at the track, ready to equip no fewer than two thirds of the cars on the grid (41 entries) at this legendary event. 

McGregor adds: “This year will be the biggest Le Mans operation Goodyear has ever undertaken. It’s a significant challenge, but one we are fully prepared for. Le Mans is the jewel in the crown of endurance racing and a real opportunity to showcase Goodyear’s technology and expertise in endurance racing. We’re proud and excited to play such a central role in this iconic event, and to support so many teams as they compete in one of the world’s greatest races.” 

Developing rubber capable of performing across a wide variety of circuits, accommodating front, mid, and rear-engined cars, and meeting the demands of both professional and amateur drivers, is no small feat. It represents the culmination of an extensive development process, one that contributed to the success of teams at the inaugural LMGT3-era 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2024. 

Track action at Le Mans begins with free practice and qualifying sessions on Wednesday 11 and Thursday 12 June. The 24 Hours of Le Mans gets underway at 16:00 CEST on Saturday 14 June. 

The Goodyear Blimp has a storied history as a familiar sight at major racing, sporting and cultural events on both sides of the Atlantic. This year, Goodyear celebrates 100 years of its most famous ambassador, with a packed schedule of appearances that includes the tire brand’s biggest ever 24 Hours of Le Mans.

It is the sixth consecutive year that the Goodyear Blimp will fly over Circuit de la Sarthe, offering not just a unique spectacle for the huge number of fans watching trackside, but, for guests and VIPs, a unique viewpoint of the race from above the action.  

Goodyear has been experimenting with lighter-than-air aircraft since 1910 but the first Blimp, Pilgrim, took to the skies in 1925. Since then, it has become one of the most lasting and iconic corporate brand assets in the world; a true aerial ambassador for Goodyear. Today, the Goodyear Blimp is actually represented by four identical Zeppelin NT semi-rigid airships: three based in the U.S. and one in Germany.  

The 2025 Goodyear Blimp tour has also included stops at the WEC races at Imola and Spa. Additional visits at races, sporting events, music festivals and more are planned for the rest of the year. 

Sonia Leneveau, Marketing Director, Goodyear EMEA: “The Goodyear Blimp is a true icon that continues to bring joy to countless people at all sorts of events in North America and Europe. Since returning to the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2020, it has offered an incredible viewing experience for those lucky enough to take flight, and a fascinating spectacle for any fans who manage to take their eyes off the thrilling on-track action. We’re excited to return to Le Mans as part of a special 100th anniversary tour this year.” 

During Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Le Mans, the Goodyear Blimp’s packed schedule includes full days of flights for invited guests, subject to weather conditions.  

Back on the ground, Goodyear is gearing up for its biggest 24 Hours of Le Mans ever as the exclusive tire supplier to both the LMGT3 and LMP2 categories. It is also the 45th anniversary of Eagle, Goodyear’s performance tire brand that links its unrivalled racing pedigree with its performance road tire expertise.

The expanded UltraGrip Ice 3 range will increase the available fitments to cover wheel sizes from 15 to 22 inches, catering to a broad array of vehicles, including the latest SUVs and electric vehicles (EVs) such as the Volkswagen ID.7, Volvo EX90, and Audi Q6 and SQ6 e-tron. 

Together with an expansion of its UltraGrip Performance 3 line, this range extension will see Goodyear offer its most comprehensive range of winter tires to date, with many new sizes already available to customers. 

Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 is developed specifically for the unique requirements of Nordic winter conditions. It is suitable to fit the latest and most popular vehicles on the market, and features Ice Grip, Ice Handling+ and Snow Braking technologies to optimise its usability in harsh winter conditions. 

The tire features an adaptable compound which helps it to retain elasticity in extremely low temperatures. The compound therefore maintains an optimal stiffness at extremely low temperatures, and is 35% softer than its predecessor, UltraGrip Ice 2, at -30°C.¹ In addition, Ice Handling+ Technology increases the tire’s contact area by 20%, improving handling when used on heavier vehicles such as SUVs.² 

Sonia Leneveu, Director Marketing Consumer EMEA, Goodyear: “The Nordic region poses a unique challenge to tire manufacturers with some of the coldest and harshest driving conditions on the planet. Goodyear has made another step forward in expanding the available fitments of this Nordic-specific tire, and we are extremely proud to now be able to offer this outstanding non-studded tire to a much wider range of drivers and cars. Equipping premium winter tires, like Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3, is the ideal way to enhance your driving experience on road trips this winter.”

(1) Internal test vs UltraGrip Ice 2 

(2) Internal test vs UltraGrip Ice SUV Gen-1 

This expansion reflects Goodyear’s commitment to the winter segment and significantly broadens its coverage across key vehicle categories. With demand continuing to grow across Europe’s SUV and electric vehicle (EV) markets, the expanded range now includes sizes from 14 to 22 inches, with 84% of the total fitments measuring 19” or larger. Many new sizes are already available to customers. 

Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 is optimised to fit a wide range of modern vehicles including popular EVs such as the Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer, BMW i5 and Volvo EC40 and EX40. Like all Goodyear tires, UltraGrip Performance 3 is EV-ready thanks to special features which improve efficiency and reduce interior noise.¹ This makes it an ideal choice for the very latest electric and internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles coming to market. 

Offering outstanding grip and confidence in winter conditions, UltraGrip Performance 3 benefits from Goodyear innovations such as Snow Protect Technology and Wet Grip+ Technology, which together optimise the tire for cold-weather performance. 

The tire offers exemplary performance in extreme winter conditions, having earned four test wins and 11 podium finishes since being launched in 2023; including being named test winner in ADAC’s 2024 winter tire test.² 

Sonia Leneveu, Director Marketing Consumer EMEA, Goodyear: “We are responding directly to the evolving needs of drivers across Europe by extending the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 range. This strengthens our winter tire portfolio, forms part of Goodyear’s largest-ever winter offering and once again demonstrates Goodyear’s commitment to delivering innovation and performance for drivers. The increase in available sizes is a testament to the popularity and performance of the product, proving that premium winter tires like Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 are the ideal way to enhance your driving experience on winter road trips.” 

(1) Compared to predecessor UltraGrip Performance+ 

(2) ADAC winter tire test 24 September 2024. Size tested: 215/55R17. Test vehicle: Volkswagen T-Roc. 

Goodyear has supplied tires for many of Audi’s most exciting models, including the Q6 e-tron, e-tron GT quattro and RS e-tron GT. The new collaboration as the primary tire supplier for the Audi A5 and S5 marks the beginning of the next chapter in the partnership between these two iconic brands.

Goodyear tires, including the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6, Eagle F1 SuperSport and UltraGrip Performance 3, deliver fitments for Ultra High Performance, Ultra Ultra High Performance and winter driving applications, with varied focuses from low rolling resistance to excellent braking to meet the driver’s needs and preferences. These tires have ten fitments¹ that will cover the new A5 and S5 range in both saloon and Avant estate variants.

Audi and Goodyear's collaborative innovation

When developing an OE tire for a performance car, subjective driver feedback is a crucial parameter that previously could only be measured with real-world track testing. Goodyear is leading the way with the use of virtual development to get efficient and versatile feedback from test drivers who know the performance characteristics that premium performance car drivers demand. 

One of the Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 fitments was developed using Goodyear’s state-of-the-art Simulation Center at its facility in Luxembourg. Opened last year, the driving simulator allows Goodyear’s R&D team to develop OE tires virtually, testing and validating tire models more quickly and by saving resources, to reach first approval from the OEM with fewer physical tire models. The Simulation Center opening in Luxembourg followed the launch of the inaugural center in Akron, Ohio – and allows Goodyear to have a global approach to tire development.

In all, the process of creating this virtually developed tire took ten months and met Goodyear’s goal of achieving first approval by Audi on its first physical iteration, which was produced after two virtual development cycles to assess handling, mileage performance and noise. According to Goodyear's calculations, developing just one physical iteration has the potential to save thousands of physical tires and thousands of kilometres of physical tire testing. 

Luca Davide Andreoni, Head of Brand Goodyear: “We are pleased that the new Audi A5 and S5 are available with our summer UHP and UUHP and winter ranges. We are particularly proud of the benefits seen by using our state-of-the-art Simulation Center in the field of virtual tire development. By reducing the development process time, we were able to meet Audi’s demands faster and by using fewer resources, making performance tire development more impactful.” 

Dr. Peter Knauer, AUDI AG, Development Chassis/Wheels: “The development work at Audi goes right down to the last detail. Each model gets its own tires. In the A5, they are geared towards efficiency and comfort, the S5 on performance.” 

Three hero products on offer 

All tire fitments developed for the A5 and S5 models are from three of Goodyear’s hero product ranges in the UHP, UUHP and winter segments.

Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 is Goodyear’s award-winning¹ globally available tire designed for summer driving on wet and dry roads. Its low rolling resistance was a key feature for Audi, helping improve efficiency and comfort without sacrificing performance.

Inspired by the racetrack, the Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport shares DNA with Goodyear’s range of racing tires but is characterized by exceptional versatility and performance with balanced wet and dry performance on the road and track day capability. Stiffened tread ribs and a strengthened sidewall result in a responsive tire that allows drivers to feel feedback and enjoy exceptional performance for both road and track driving. 

For winter driving, Goodyear’s UltraGrip Performance 3 is the latest in Goodyear’s line of UltraGrip tires. Recognised as the winner of ADAC’s² latest winter tire test for its “safe and precise driving characteristics,”² it delivers enhanced handling on snow and optimised wet braking while maintaining comfort through a noise-cancelling tread pattern. 

Vehicle Tire Sizes available^* 

Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 

205/50R17 97W 

225/55R17 101Y  

235/45R18 98Y

Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport 

245/40R19 98Y 

245/40R19 98Y 

245/35R20 98Y v1 

245/35R20 98Y v2

Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 

215/55R17 98Y 

235/45R18 98Y 

245/40R19 98Y

_{1) Awards include Auto Bild summer tire test 2023: Auto Bild: 50 summer tires tested, dimension 225/45R18. Test car: BMW 3 Series. Issue 10/2023.} 

_{2) ADAC winter tire test 24 September 2024, dimension 215/55R17. Test car: Volkswagen T-Roc.}

Following an action-packed season-opening 4 Hours of Barcelona in April, ELMS continues its six-race European tour with a stop at Circuit Paul Ricard this weekend. Goodyear continues as the exclusive tyre supplier for both the LMP2 and LMGT3 categories, roles it has held since 2021 and 2024 respectively, supplying tyres to 34 of the record-breaking 44 full-season entries. This includes 14 LMP2, 7 LMP2 Pro-Am, and 13 LMGT3 entrants. 

The newly developed LMP2 slick specification, which builds upon the proven foundation of Goodyear’s existing compound, has been developed to further improve performance and durability for drivers across race stints. It will be introduced at Le Castellet and remain in use for the remainder of the 2025 ELMS campaign. It will also be used by all 17 LMP2 contenders entered for the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans in June.  

João Coelho, Testing & Track Support Manager, Goodyear, explains: “This new specification is an evolution of our existing slick LMP2 compound. It has undergone extensive testing in close collaboration with several LMP2 teams, both on track and through simulation work. Their input has been very valuable in helping us fine-tune the construction to suit the specific demands of endurance racing. That partnership has allowed us to introduce a tire that delivers even higher standards of performance, and maintains the reliability needed for endurance races as gruelling as the 24 Hours of Le Mans.” 

The new specification arrives after the current set of LMP2 regulations was renewed in preparation for the next generation of cars set to debut in 2028. Goodyear’s development process ensures that tires remain optimised not only for outright performance but also for versatility across the diverse driver line-up in the LMP2 Pro-Am category. That same approach guided Goodyear's work in LMGT3, where car architecture and handling dynamics vary even more widely.  

Coelho adds: “We have a mixture of Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze-rated drivers competing in LMP2, so it’s essential the slick tire offers drivability, is forgiving, and remains trusted to race on by an array of drivers with a range of driving styles. That’s a key focus for both our LMP2 and LMGT3 products.”

Teams competing in the LMGT3 category, meanwhile, will continue to run the latest specification of Goodyear’s ‘Eagle Medium’ slick compound this season. These tires are engineered to meet the diverse demands of modern LMGT3 machines, which are closely related to their high-performance road-going counterparts. LMGT3 therefore remains an ideal platform for transferring racing innovations to Goodyear’s ultra ultra high-performance (UUHP) road tires.

This season also marks the third year without tire warmers in ELMS, placing even greater emphasis on fast warm-up characteristics. Each team across LMP2 and LMGT3 is supplied with a single specification of a slick and wet-weather compound per event”.  

“As with the previous LMP2 slick specification, we’ve maintained a strong focus on ensuring quick tire warm-up, which is critical for cars during out-laps, safety car restarts, and in changeable weather conditions. We’d like to thank the drivers and teams for their cooperation in developing this new specification, and we cannot wait to see them do battle for the remainder of this season.” 

To view Goodyear's 2025 WEC & ELMS Media Guide, use the Downloads sidebar or CLICK HERE.

Crowning this prestigious award to Goodyear for the third time in four years², Auto Bild’s editorial team considered the results of its four summer tire tests in 2025, which produced two test wins and a runner-up for Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 as well as a prestigious award for EfficientGrip 2 SUV. 

Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6, Goodyear’s hero UHP summer tire, was also given Auto Bild’s Eco-Master title, while EfficientGrip 2 SUV was recognised with the ‘Green Tire’ award by Auto Bild. All in all, these results combined to rank Goodyear as the German magazine’s ‘Top Manufacturer of the Year’ for summer tires.

The report summary read: “Deserved victory - With three top rankings for the Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6, a top position for the EfficientGrip 2 and two special awards (Eco-Master and Green Tire), tire manufacturer Goodyear started the 2025 summer season well deserved as the Top Manufacturer of the Year.”³

Goodyear received the special Auto Bild accolade also in 2022 and 2023. In 2023, it was also named Top Manufacturer of the Year for Winter Tires⁴.

Eric Henrotin, Vice President Product Development EMEA & Technology Operations Excellence: “To be recognised as the Top Manufacturer for Summer Tires this season by Europe’s most widely read automotive magazine is an accomplishment we are immensely proud of. It underlines our commitment to innovation and performance across our range in tires such as Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6, which has been developed to enhance the driving experience in all summer weather conditions.”

1. Auto Bild issue 16/25
2. Auto Bild issues 15/22, 14/23. More info here: https://news.goodyear.eu/goodyear-retains-auto-bild-summer-tire-manufacturer-of-the-year-award-2/
3. Translated from original German
4. Auto Bild issue 42/23

As the exclusive supplier of tires for the LMGT3 class at the FIA WEC, Goodyear is pivotal in equipping some of motorsport’s most prestigious racing brands, including McLaren, Ferrari and Aston Martin. The presence of the Goodyear Blimp at Imola underscores the importance of these partnerships to Goodyear whilst also bringing an extra layer of excitement to a renowned event in the racing season. 

Celebrating 100 Years of the Goodyear Blimp 

The visit to Imola additionally marks the start of celebrations in Europe for an extraordinary milestone: 100 years of the Goodyear Blimp. For a century, this aviation icon has captivated crowds worldwide with its pioneering journeys, unmistakable silhouette and distinctive branding.  

“The Goodyear Blimp is more than just an aviation marvel. It’s a global icon that combines innovation and tradition,” said Luca Davide Andreoni, Head of Goodyear Brand Consumer EMEA. “This year we’re celebrating a very special anniversary: the centennial of our Icon. We are really proud to see the Goodyear Blimp it in the skies of Imola and to celebrate this the Italian fans.”  

Goodyear Blimp enthusiasts can expect exciting updates throughout 2025 as the Blimp visits legendary races and locations across Europe. Fans can follow along at this link or visit social media to watch out for where the Blimp is headed next.  

Italy: A Special Place for the Goodyear Blimp 

Italy is a cherished location for the Goodyear Blimp. In the 1980s, Rome served as its inaugural European base, a launchpad for decades of memorable journeys across the continent.  

Auto Bild, Europe’s most widely read automotive magazine, named Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 ‘Eco-Master 2025’ in its latest summer tire test.¹ The ultra-high-performance (UHP) tire, which also earned shared overall Test Winner status, impressed with its combination of performance, class-leading mileage, lowest cost per 1,000 km driven, and minimal external noise.¹ This demonstrates the tire’s suitability to equip the latest modern electric vehicles (EVs), and marks the sixth time since 2020 that Auto Bild has awarded Goodyear this prestigious title.

In its latest test, AUTO ZEITUNG also recognised Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 for its excellent performance and class-leading mileage, awarding it an ‘Environmental Recommendation’ and declaring it the overall Test Winner.² The magazine described the tire as "absolutely flawless" and commended its ability to "combine performance and sustainability at the highest level."² Test editors further stated “with the tire’s fastest [wet] handling time, the Goodyear [tire] underscores its excellent wet performance. It steers agilely and precisely, and exhibits a sporty, neutral overall setup; strong braking performance; on grippy asphalt, the Goodyear delivers the best results, it consistently builds up enormous grip and remains easily controllable,” adding “top values for wear and mileage, as well as low rolling resistance, strengthen its sustainability.” Overall, they described the tire as "without any weaknesses," stating, “it comes out on top [of ten competitors] and also proves to be the most durable tire.”

In a third test by ADAC, Europe’s largest automobile association, the Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 earned a “Good” rating in the environmental performance assessment. The experts commented on the Goodyear tire: “It delivers good, predicted mileage in the wear test, its abrasion is low, and it also scores highly in terms of efficiency with its low weight and low fuel consumption”.³  

Auto Bild also awarded Goodyear’s EfficientGrip 2 SUV the title of ‘GREEN TIRE’ in its latest electric vehicle test, commenting on its “outstanding mileage”. ⁴ 

Auto Bild’s EV test assessed eight summer tires in the popular 215/55R18 size, evaluating wet and dry performance, mileage, cost per mile and rolling resistance. The ‘GREEN TIRE’ award was based on criteria including mileage, coast-down testing, pass-by noise, rolling resistance, EU tire label ratings, and transport route considerations.

Laurent Colantonio, Vice President, Global Quality, Goodyear: “Goodyear’s premium summer tire range strikes the perfect balance between performance, and comfort, while keeping our commitment to sustainability top of mind. Every Goodyear tire is developed with a focus on helping drivers to achieve greater mileage and efficiency with every journey, without sacrificing performance. These recognitions reaffirm our commitment to tire technology that meets modern drivers' needs while help to support a better future, making our tires ideal for all kinds of vehicles, including SUVs and electric vehicles.” 

Notes to editor 

Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 is a tire developed to deliver performance responsibly, focused on lowering rolling resistance and the use of sustainable materials .The tread of the tire has nearly three times as many bio-resins and double the amount of other sustainable materials as its predecessor. ⁵ Its low rolling resistance and high load rating make it optimal for modern SUVs and EVs, which demand more from a tire to maximise range and efficiency. Its EV-ready construction also features a noise-cancelling pattern which reduces road noise by 1 dB(A). ⁶ Goodyear’s Dry Stability Plus Technology is also present in the Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6. This allows the tire to adapt to the road surface and always deliver the optimal amount of grip, traction and stability. In wet conditions, the tire features an advanced resin for optimal road contact, giving the tire excellent wet grip.

Goodyear EfficientGrip 2 SUV incorporates a range of innovative features to enhance mileage while maintaining strong performance. Goodyear’s Mileage Plus Technology provides a 25% improvement in mileage compared to its EfficientGrip SUV predecessor. ⁷ This is achieved through high tread elasticity and flexibility, reducing fractures from rough road conditions. Additional features include improved water evacuation for shorter braking distances on wet surfaces, as well as larger central ribs and increased contact surface for improved dry braking.

1. Auto Bild issue 10/2025, March 6, 2025. 52 tires tested, size 225/40R18. Test car: BMW 1-series. Comments translated from original German. 
2. AUTO ZEITUNG print issue 6/2025. 10 tires tested, size 225/45R18, test car: Skoda Octavia Combi 1,5 TSI. Comments translated from original German. 
3. ADAC summer tire test, February 2025. 17 tires tested, size 225/40R18, test car: VW Golf VIII. Comments translated from original German. 
4. Auto Bild summer tire test for EV, March 2025. 8 tires tested, size 215/55R18, test car: Hyundai Kona. Comments translated from original German. 
5. A sustainable material is a bio-based (defined as material of biological origin (Source: ISO 14021)); renewable (defined as Material that is composed of biomass from a living source and that can be continually replenished. (Source: ISO 14021)); or recycled (defined as material that has been reprocessed from recovered [reclaimed] material (Source: ISO 14021)) material; or one produced using or contributing to other practices designed to promote resource conservation and/or emissions reductions, including ISCC PLUS certified material via mass balance (defined as a certification verifying our capability to track the amount and sustainability characteristics of circular and/or bio-based material in the value chain and attribute it based on verifiable bookkeeping (Source: www.iscc-system.org/certification/chain-of-custody/mass-balance/)). 
6. Internal test, reduction noise compared to predecessor Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5. 
7. Internal test, compared to predecessor EfficientGrip SUV. 

Goodyear is set to begin its second season as the exclusive tire supplier for the LMGT3 category of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). This weekend the globe-trotting series kicks off track action with the official prologue at the Lusail International Circuit, followed by the Qatar 1812 km next weekend. 

Building on a highly successful debut LMGT3 season in 2024, Goodyear will once again provide tires for every car in the class, reinforcing its commitment to the pinnacle of endurance racing, including the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans. There are some changes to the Goodyear racing tire range for the upcoming season.

This season will mark the debut of Goodyear’s newest slick compound: the ‘Eagle Hard’ specification tire. Designed for improved longevity, this new slick, distinguished by its red sidewall markings, will debut at the newly refurbished Sao Paulo in July before returning at Circuit of The Americas and Bahrain; three tracks known for high temperatures or abrasive surfaces.

For all other rounds, teams will run Goodyear’s proven ‘Eagle Medium’ compound from 2024, alongside an Eagle wet-weather tire designed for maximum performance in all conditions.

Mike McGregor, Head of Sales Endurance Racing EMEA, explains how the new compound will impact racing: “Endurance racing is all about balance, and that’s exactly what our 2025 tire range provides. With LMGT3 featuring front, mid, and rear-engine cars, our goal is to provide a consistent platform that ensures competitive racing across all manufacturers. 

“Last season, our proven Eagle Medium specification tire was able to meet the demands of peak driver performance, maintaining competitive pace over multiple driver stints. At Le Mans, some drivers even completed up to five consecutive stints on a single set of Goodyear tires. The introduction of the Hard compound builds on this performance, with it able to handle high-degradation circuits and maintain even more pace over multiple stints.”

New teams, same close racing

After this weekend’s prologue, the 2025 WEC season properly gets underway next Friday with the Qatar 1812 km. This year LMGT3 brings an exciting grid including nine of the most recognisable manufacturers in GT racing, each competing with two cars. 

Among the newcomers making their LMGT3 debuts in Qatar are rising Brazilian star Eduardo Barrichello – son of multiple grand prix winner Rubens Barrichello – and Aston Martin Racing factory driver Valentin Hasse Clot. Both will compete for new entrant Racing Spirit of Léman in an Aston Martin Vantage AMR LMGT3.

Across the season, Goodyear will support nine confirmed LMGT3 manufacturers: Aston Martin, BMW, Corvette, Ferrari, Ford, Lexus, McLaren, Porsche, and newcomer Mercedes-AMG. The German marque partners with 2024 LMGT3 race winner Iron Lynx, fielding two cars in the category.

The Iron Dames also return, continuing to break barriers and inspire future female participation in motorsport. This season, Célia Martin, Rahel Frey, and Michelle Gatting will field the #85 Porsche 911 GT3 R LMGT3 after switching to Porsche machinery with Manthey Racing.

Goodyear’s commitment to endurance racing also extends to the European Le Mans Series (ELMS), where two of the three categories continue to race exclusively on Goodyear tires. With another six-round season ahead, including a return to the world-class Silverstone Circuit, fans can expect another season of fiercely competitive racing.

Fans take the wheel in the Goodyear Wingfoot Award

This season also brings a fresh twist to the Goodyear Wingfoot Award, as fans will now play a crucial role in choosing the award winner at the end of each race. 

Votes from both trackside attendees and viewers at home will decide the winner at each round. This new ‘driver of the weekend’ format puts fans at the heart of the action, celebrating the very performances that makes endurance racing at the highest level so thrilling. 

“Since its introduction in 2023, the Goodyear Wingfoot Award has always celebrated the very best driver performances in endurance racing,” adds McGregor. “Now, we’re giving fans the chance to have their say, putting them at the heart of the action.”

The forthcoming eight-round campaign gets underway with the Qatar 1812 km on 28 February, visiting four different continents prior to concluding in Bahrain on 8 November. To view Goodyear's 2025 WEC Media Guide, use the Downloads sidebar or CLICK HERE.
 

June 3, 2025 marks the 100^th anniversary of the Goodyear Blimp, and today, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company announced that it will celebrate the occasion throughout the year by bringing the blimp closer to its fans around the globe.

In 2025, the Goodyear Blimp will aim to fly to more than 100 cities across North America and Europe, with aerial appearances over new events, from the biggest matchups in sports to music festivals and other cultural moments, giving more fans than ever a chance to see the famous airship firsthand.

“The Goodyear Blimp is an enduring symbol of both nostalgia and innovation for fans around the world. With its century-long history and unique ability to instill a sense of wonder in those who experience it – whether from on the ground or in the air, the blimp gives Goodyear a way to connect with the public in a way no other tire company can match,” said Mark Stewart, CEO and President of Goodyear.

Goodyear Blimp fans can stay up to date on the latest celebratory activities and Goodyear Blimp news by following @GoodyearBlimp on social media and visiting GoodyearBlimp.com.

100 Years of the Goodyear Blimp

Goodyear has been experimenting with lighter than aircraft since as early as 1910. Starting with the blimp Pilgrim in 1925, Goodyear Blimps have served as a public relations vehicle to drive brand awareness for the company and delight fans in communities across the country. Today, the Goodyear Blimp remains as one of the most lasting and iconic corporate brand assets in the world.

Dakar 2025: new challenges await

The 2025 Dakar Rally, running from January 3 to January 17, will cover nearly 8,000 kilometers, including over 5,000 kilometers of competitive stages, starting in Bisha and finishing in Shubaytah. This edition ramps up the difficulty, featuring an early 48-hour chrono stage that flows into the marathon stage, setting a challenging pace from the outset. In the second week, competitors will tackle the demanding dunes of the Empty Quarter, with over 45% of the course on separate tracks for different vehicle classes, enhancing safety while complicating navigation.

Goodyear OFFROAD tires and TPMS: performance in challenging conditions

Team De Rooy relies on Goodyear OFFROAD tires for their durability and reliable traction across different conditions. Designed to handle heat and challenging surfaces, these tires help reduce heat buildup at high speeds and provide consistent performance on sand, rocks, and steep slopes.

Goodyear’s TPMS offers real-time monitoring of tire pressure and temperature, helping the team make quick adjustments and avoid potential issues. This advanced system helps to minimize downtime and supports better strategic decisions—crucial for maintaining momentum during the rally.

A Legacy of motorsport excellence

Goodyear’s continued support of Team De Rooy highlights its long-standing commitment to truck motorsport. As the title sponsor of the Goodyear FIA European Truck Racing Championship (ETRC), Goodyear uses motorsport as a proving ground for tire technology advancements. The partnership with Team De Rooy reflects this commitment, driving innovation and performance in demanding environments.

Maciej Szymański, Marketing Director Commercial EMEA at Goodyear, commented:
“Our continued collaboration with Team De Rooy for Dakar 2025 underscores our commitment to supporting motorsport teams in extreme conditions. With Goodyear OFFROAD tires and TPMS, we aim to provide the reliability needed to tackle the rally’s challenges. We wish Team De Rooy all the best and look forward to another exciting competition at this iconic rally”.

Sustainability commitment 

Sustainability will remain an important focus for both Goodyear and the European Truck Racing Championship (ETRC), which recently earned the FIA’s three-star environmental accreditation. [2]This recognition highlights the series’ efforts to reduce environmental impact, including the use of 100% renewable HVO biofuel since 2021. Truck racing tires from the championship are integrated into a sustainable lifecycle through retreading, transforming them into standard on-road Goodyear tires for transportation fleets. This process reduces resource consumption and waste, aligning with the championship's dedication to environmental responsibility. 

Goodyear shares this commitment, also achieving the top three-star rating in the FIA Environmental Accreditation framework. Apart from the Goodyear FIA European Truck Racing Championship, the certification covers the motorsport programmes run by Goodyear Racing EMEA, including the brand’s presence in the FIA World Endurance Championship, 24 Hours of Le Mans and European Le Mans Series.[3] 

Next-generation truck racing tire 

As part of its continued partnership, Goodyear introduced a new truck racing tire in 2024[4], developed at its Innovation Center in Luxembourg. The new tire enhances grip, durability, and performance in both wet and dry conditions, compared to its predecessor. After its first season of use, the tire has delivered solid support to the teams, proving its ability to perform reliably across a variety of track conditions and, thanks to better durability, reducing the overall number of tires used in the Championship. These innovations not only set new racing benchmarks but also reflect the same reliability and efficiency Goodyear strives to provides to fleets across Europe. 

A Broad Motorsport Presence 

Goodyear’s dedication to motorsport extends far beyond truck racing. For the 2025 season, the brand continues as the exclusive tire supplier for the LMP2 category in both the European Le Mans Series (ELMS) and the 24 Hours of Le Mans, as well as for all teams competing in the LMGT3 category of ELMS and the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). Furthermore, Goodyear has recently been named the Official Title Sponsor of the 2025 Goodyear 4 Hours of Silverstone, further strengthening its commitment to innovation and excellence in motorsport across multiple disciplines. 

Important stop for Goodyear’s Drive Results Tour 

The Goodyear FIA European Truck Racing Championship (ETRC) will again play a vital role in Goodyear’s Drive Results Tour. Visitors from transport fleets will be able to experience Goodyear Total Mobility end-to-end solutions firsthand and see how premium tires and advanced tire monitoring technologies, translates from the track to real-world fleet operations. 



[1] https://www.goodyearfiaetrc.com/news/goodyear-fia-etrc-climbs-ranks-in-sustainable-championships-index-tm 

[2] https://www.goodyearfiaetrc.com/news/fia-three-star 

[3] https://news.goodyear.eu/goodyear-receives-fias-highest-level-environmental-accreditation/ 

[4] https://news.goodyear.eu/goodyear-continues-title-sponsorship-of-goodyear-fia-etrc-with-brand-new-tire-specification/

Another chapter for Goodyear in endurance racing 

Goodyear has a storied history in endurance racing, and in recent years has been the exclusive tire supplier to the LMP2 category in ELMS since 2021. That role expanded at the start of the 2024 season to include the LMGT3 category, following its earlier role as the exclusive supplier to the LMGTE class from the 2020 season.

For the 2025 season, Goodyear continues as the exclusive tire supplier for the LMP2 category in both ELMS and the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and for all teams competing in the LMGT3 category of ELMS and the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC).

Mathias Kipp, Head of Car Racing, Goodyear EMEA: “This sponsorship is an exciting opportunity for Goodyear to strengthen its presence in endurance racing and bring us closer to our customers and fans in the United Kingdom. We are proud to deepen our involvement with the European Le Mans Series; a highly competitive championship which carries the spirit of the 24 Hours of Le Mans around Europe.

“For fans at the track, Goodyear will bring them even closer to the action. For us, it is another opportunity to support drivers at all levels in their endurance racing careers - from young, future stars to the most skilled endurance racers - each of whom will benefit from Goodyear’s Eagle F1 race tires and expert trackside support.”
 

Almost 70,000 fans are expected to be in attendance and, if they can take their eyes off the action on the field, they’ll see the Goodyear Blimp in the skies above the stadium. It will be the first time the Goodyear Blimp has been to a professional American football game in Europe, but it’s a firm fixture at games in the U.S.

The Goodyear Blimp has been Goodyear’s aerial ambassador for almost a century. In 1955, it pioneered the practice of live aerial video coverage for events like the Rose Parade and Rose Bowl college football game. Since then, the Goodyear Blimp has been a permanent fixture at American Football events and other high profile global events: the sight of the Goodyear Blimp gliding into position above the stadium is often a signal that the main event is about to begin. For spectators in the stadium, the Blimp adds an extra layer of excitement to the game day experience. As it hovers above, fans often take a moment to snap photos or simply marvel at its presence. 

Today, a fleet of three identical Goodyear Blimps, which are actually semi-rigid airships built by German manufacturer Zeppelin, operates across the U.S., with bases in California, Florida and Ohio. Between them, they cover around 200 events each year. 

A popular sight at sporting events on both sides of the Atlantic 

Returning to Europe, a fourth Goodyear Blimp was introduced in 2020 initially based in Friedrichshafen and now mainly based in Essen/Mülheim Airport. It has flown over the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the world’s most prestigious endurance race for which Goodyear is an exclusive tire supplier, for the past five years, providing a truly special viewpoint for guests and VIPs. 

In recent years, this Goodyear Blimp has also flown over major European cities including London, Milan, Warsaw and Copenhagen as well as rounds of other Goodyear-supported motorsport series like the FIA World Endurance Championship and British Touring Car Championship. For Sunday’s game, the Blimp route may be adjusted or cancelled based on weather forecast. 

The largest airships in the skies today 

All four airships in the fleet are of an identical model, the largest of its kind in the world today, measuring 75 meters long, 19.5 meters wide and 17.4 meters high. Their total volume is 8,425 m³, filled with helium, a non-flammable gas used in all modern airships for maximum safety. Each Goodyear Blimp is powered by three 200 hp engines, allowing for a maximum speed of 125 km/h and a range of 1,000 km.  

They typically fly following major roads and highways to a maximum altitude of 3,000 meters, allowing a ground crew to follow below and provide navigation and communication assistance. When at the event, the Goodyear Blimp is able to ‘park’ in the sky completely still making it the perfect platform for capturing live television footage from the best seat in the house with less interference and disruption than a helicopter.  

Sonia Leneveu, Marketing Director Goodyear in EMEA: “As a proud American global brand with decades of association with American football, Goodyear is thrilled to have the Goodyear Blimp flying over a professional American football game in Europe for the first time. This Sunday, it will bring a slice of the American sporting experience to the tens of thousands of fans at Allianz Arena in Munich.”

Many of the drivers still in contention for the Goodyear Wingfoot Award reflect on their successful seasons and look ahead to the 8 Hours of Bahrain, as they prepare to face the final test in their pursuit for Wingfoot Award glory. Here are the five things you should know ahead of the last round in Bahrain:

Goodyear single-specification tire on offer
Goodyear will bring a single-specification medium compound slick tire to Bahrain, the same tire used in every other race in the WEC and ELMS this season, designed to perform across a wide range of circuits and conditions. This includes Bahrain’s intense heat and humidity, where managing degradation will be crucial over the 5.4-kilometer track, renowned for its long straights, tight corners, elevation changes and ample overtaking opportunities. A single-specification wet tire will also be available, though it's unlikely to see use in Bahrain's typically dry climate.

Bahrain’s race conditions are unique
As the race starts in the heat of the day and runs into dusk, track temperatures will drop significantly, adding an additional layer of complexity for teams as they adapt to changing grip levels throughout the race.

Mike McGregor, Goodyear Head of Sales Endurance Racing EMEA, highlights the unique demands of the Bahrain circuit: “With its long straights and heavy braking zones, Bahrain puts extra strain on a tire's longitudinal forces—quite different from the lateral stresses we see at classic circuits like Spa. Drivers spend around 48% of each lap at full throttle, and when combined with its highly abrasive surface and high track temperatures, understanding how the tire responds to varying loads becomes critical. This is especially true as the race moves from the intense heat of the day into the cooler evening conditions.”

Goodyear’s tire versatility will be tested further as teams adapt to the drop in track temperatures after dusk, which could impact grip levels. McGregor adds: “Our LMGT3 tire has already proven its reliability in extreme conditions, from the intense heat of Texas to the cooler nights at Le Mans. Our aim is to provide teams with a tire that delivers consistent performance in Bahrain’s demanding heat and changing conditions.”

Alex Riberas “positively surprised” at the performance of the Goodyear compound
The characteristics of LMGT3 mean it’s the most representative category when comparing the technologies that transfer into Goodyear’s range of high-performance tires for the road. Driver feedback is crucial for Goodyear Racing’s team of designers and engineers to develop Eagle F1 SuperSport tires that excel both on track, and on road.

Alex Riberas, driving for #27 Heart of Racing Team Aston Martin, praises the Goodyear tire’s performance, highlighting that “they’ve been an incredible success this year.”

He continues: “We’ve had no problems whatsoever; the tires have performed in all conditions and have exceeded our expectations.”

Riberas also commented on the multiple stint performance, stating: “the tire degradation has been consistently lower than anticipated, which has been a positive surprise. The new Goodyear compound is highly durable; if you manage it well, it truly rewards you in the latter part of the stint.”

Farfus leads the Goodyear Wingfoot Award standings ahead of the final race
On track, drivers Augusto Farfus and Davide Rigon have enjoyed plenty of success this season, not least in the Goodyear Wingfoot Award, where they sit first and second respectively, separated by only eight points.

The Wingfoot Award recognises the relentless performance and consistency of the best endurance racing drivers. Each race, it is calculated over a single stint and the LMGT3 driver with the fastest time wins the award. The season-long points standings crown the overall Wingfoot Award champion at the end of the campaign.

“I’m very pleased to be at the top of the standings,” says Farfus, #31 BMW M Team WRT driver, currently leading the Wingfoot Award with 76 points. “The Goodyear Wingfoot Award is something special. It highlights a different side of motorsport, as people often take the role of the tire for granted—how to use, manage, and execute the race.

“Leading the standings definitely puts a smile on my face, especially as a Goodyear ambassador. I’m really proud to be part of this and to fight for it. I can head into the final round and bring this trophy home. Consistency, teamwork, tire management, and usage are crucial for this. It’s not just about raw speed, but making the tires last and work within the right window."

Davide Rigon, driving for #54 AF Corse Ferrari, currently in second place in the Wingfoot Award Standings with 68 points, is also ready for the challenge: “In Bahrain, strategy will be crucial as the race will be over 8 hours, but I feel ready. I have good memories on this circuit since my GP2 days, where I got a podium, but also recently in the GTE-Pro class, with a win in 2017. My teammates Thomas Flohr and Francesco Castellacci also really like this track; we had a good race there last year.”

Five teams representing four manufacturers will battle it out for vice-champion honours
Manthey PureRxcing’s Klaus Bachler, Alex Malykhin, and Joel Sturm secured the LMGT3 title in September at Fuji. A win and pole position in Bahrain could boost their points total to 175, surpassing last season's LMGTE and LMP2 champions, who each finished with 173 points.

Trailing the 2024 champions, five teams representing four manufacturers—Porsche, BMW, Aston Martin and Ferrari—will battle it out in Bahrain for the vice-champion honours. Currently holding second place in the overall standings is the Manthey EMA team of Richard Lietz, Morris Schuring, and Yasser Shahin but, behind them, only 26 points separate the next four teams in the standings.

On-track action in Bahrain is set to kick off with two free practice sessions on Thursday 31 October, with qualifying taking place on Friday 1 November. The flag for the 8 Hours of Bahrain will be waved at 14:00 local time on Saturday 2 November.

Click here to view the current Goodyear Wingfoot Award standings

With the tire change season approaching, many drivers are currently wondering whether they should opt for all-season tires this year. A look behind the scenes of the test winner Vector 4Seasons Gen-3 can provide interesting insights and arguments. Thanks to its versatile technologies, it is ideal for both warm and cold weather conditions.

A visit to the Goodyear Innovation Centre

The development of an all-season tire requires the precise coordination of many factors and involves several phases: from concept development including tire construction, cavity shape, tread pattern design and tread compounds, to the testing and finetuning of these critical components resulting in a perfectly balanced tire. The all-season tire combines elements from the tread pattern, the sipe structure, the groove arrangement and the sidewalls of summer and winter tires to ensure balanced performance in changing weather conditions.

Much more than rubber and soot

Only the tread compound for the Vector 4Seasons Gen-3 consists of up to 17 components,  for example, synthetic rubbers which provide excellent grip and wear performance. Silica and traction resins offer outstanding grip, and braking performance in rainy weather. Other components include carbon black, sulphur, wax, and antioxidants, as well as sunflower oil, which increases the flexibility of the rubber. "The Vector 4Seasons Gen-3's adaptive rubber compound ensures that the tire remains flexible at different temperatures and offers reliable performance and outstanding mileage in a wide range of conditions. It actually represents a category of its own, connecting the best of two worlds", says Goodyear's compounding engineer Chris Kaes.

Developed in the winter laboratory

In the winter laboratory, Goodyear engineers produce different types of snow to test different rubber compounds and sipe structures on them. For example, the braking distance varies considerably depending on the nature of the snow and ice. The test of the Vector 4Seasons compound on a metal plate compacted with snow shows that the pure rubber compound already provides strong grip. Combined with the special 3D sipes on the centre of the tread, the Snow Grip technology ensures excellent grip on snow. Only around 63% of the rubber has direct contact with the road; the grooves of the remaining percent drain water and offer protection against aquaplaning or indirectly provide grip.

Eight times around the world

Before a Goodyear tire goes into series production, it has circled the earth eight times, on the road or on the roller test bench, and undergone 3,800 development tests. On the in-house test track, the Vector 4Seasons Gen-3 showed how effectively the dry handling technology developed for the premium all-season tire works. This includes reinforced tread and shoulder blocks that reduce the deformation of the tire under high loads, such as during sporty driving in dry conditions. The result: short braking and very good grip on dry roads.

“We are very proud to offer drivers who choose all-season tires a top product that was rated ‘Good’ by the ADAC for the first time in this category,” [2] says Senior Director Technology Consumer Goodyear EMEA, Ben Glesener.

For more insights into the development of a premium all-season tire, see episode #257 BLOCH EXPLAINS - ALL-SEASON TIRES: THE 5 BIGGEST MISTAKES - BLOCH.  Click here for the episode. 

Caption 1:
The Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen-3 was the first all-season tire to be rated “good” by the ADAC.

Caption 2:
The rubber compound of the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen-3 provides balanced performance in all weather conditions and excellent mileage.

Caption 3:
In the winter laboratory, Goodyear creates different types of snow to test rubber compounds and sipes.

[1] Goodyear internal evaluation based on econometric model across 24 countries in Europe: Austria, Baltics, Benelux, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK. 

[2] ADAC all-season tire test 2024, 16 tires tested in size 205/55R16.

United Autosports' Marino Sato and Vista AF Corse's Alessio Rovera help to preview the weekend ahead.

Fuji International Speedway, nestled in the foothills of the iconic Mount Fuji, will play host to Goodyear-equipped LMGT3 cars from nine different manufacturers battling for victory this weekend. Goodyear will bring a single specification, medium compound slick tire to Fuji, the same used in the opening six rounds of this season. Goodyear developed the tire to work across a wide range of circuits and temperatures, including the full range of temperatures that could greet the drivers, as is typical of Fuji’s unpredictable weather. A single specification wet tire will also be available, which is designed to handle the challenging and variable conditions that Fuji is known for.

Fuji features the longest straight of any permanent track on the WEC calendar, stretching 1.475 km. This extended run from Turn 16 to the end of the straight has significant implications for tire performance, generating considerable heat and wear. As a result, managing tire temperatures will be crucial, especially with the first turn providing a prime overtaking opportunity for drivers where maintaining grip is essential.

Marino Sato is one driver in the LMGT3 class who will enjoy a home advantage this weekend, as the Japanese racer takes on Fuji Speedway for the first time. Sato, who has been in strong form following his third and second-place Goodyear Wingfoot Award finishes at Interlagos and COTA, discusses his intention to maintain this momentum, and looks ahead to his home race this weekend:

“I am excited to see a lot of fans from Japan, and I am really happy that I can finally race in front of them,” says Sato. “I didn’t expect to be up there [in the Wingfoot standings] in Brazil! That was a nice surprise. To be competitive in the Wingfoot Award, it is important to bring the car into a good window in each stint as that will boost my average pace. 

“This year, there have been some tracks on the calendar that are particularly hard on tires, but we haven’t faced any major issues, even in multiple stints, which is very impressive. There’s a wide operational window, but there’s also a sweet spot for peak performance, so it’s crucial to squeeze that performance out.”

The Wingfoot Award recognises the relentless performance and consistency of the best endurance racing drivers. Each race, it is calculated over a single stint and the LMGT3 driver with the fastest time wins the award. The season-long points standings crown the overall Wingfoot Award champion at the end of the campaign.

Alessio Rovera chases Goodyear Wingfoot Award success

Another driver in the hunt for top Wingfoot Award honours this weekend is Alessio Rovera. Despite not winning the award at a race so far, the Italian driver is currently in fourth place in the standings, only four points away from a podium position in the overall rankings.

Rovera, whose consistency has been key to picking up points throughout the season, shares his strategy for climbing the standings in the final races of the season: “The goal for the last two races is to finish on the podium,” says Rovera. “Luck hasn’t been on our side so far [for an overall win], but the team has done an excellent job in the first six races of the year, and our Ferrari has consistently been fast and enjoyable to drive in all conditions.

“Fuji isn’t among my favourite tracks, but the race will be critical and challenging. The weather in Japan isn’t straightforward, with heat and humidity being factors we’ll need to account for. The Ferrari 296 LMGT3 is a car that is continually developing and improving with each race. We weren’t the fastest in Austin, but we hope to be competitive in Japan.”

Click here to view the current Goodyear Wingfoot Award standings

This weekend’s 6-hour Lone Star Le Mans is the only North American round of the season, and takes place in the heat of Austin, Texas. 

On track, drivers Augusto Farfus and Alex Riberas have enjoyed plenty of success this season, not least in the Goodyear Wingfoot Award, where they sit second and fifth respectively. 

The Wingfoot Award recognises the relentless performance and consistency of the best endurance racing drivers. Each race, it is calculated over a single stint, with the exception of the 24 Hours of Le Mans where two consecutive stints are measured. Each weekend, the LMGT3 driver with the fastest time wins the award, and a season-long points standings crowns the overall Wingfoot Award champion at the end of the campaign. Riberas, winner of the award last time out at Sao Paulo, discusses the thrill of being crowned the fastest driver over a stint.

“When you’re strong the awards should follow,” the Heart of Racing Team Aston Martin driver explains. “[The Goodyear Wingfoot Award] is great because it takes more skill from a driver’s point of view to be consistent across a full stint. While going for a fast lap on new tires isn’t easy, it’s a lot less demanding than being smart and consistent across a full stint. So, the award reflects very well the drivers who are doing a good job, because that’s what’s required of us at the highest level of endurance racing. 

“If you’re proactive [with tire management], you can reap the benefits at the end of the stints. It’s like running a marathon; conserving early on will give you that advantage and you begin passing people who haven't managed as well. 

“That’s why having a strong Goodyear engineer and race engineer enables the team to shine. In Brazil the briefings with the team were far more interactive with ideas and approaches. Texas will be similar, so I’m super happy to be working with such talented and smart people.”

Consistency proving to be crucial in the Goodyear Wingfoot Award standings

Another driver in the hunt for top honors in the Goodyear Wingfoot Award is Augusto Farfus. Despite not winning the award at a race so far, the Brazilian driver finds himself just two points off Ferrari driver Alessio Rovera - another who’s yet to claim an overall victory - at the top of the standings. 

While both of the top two are yet to win an overall award, their consistency has been key to picking up points throughout the season.

“I haven’t won the award yet, which is a shame,” says BMW M Team WRT’s Farfus. “But I think we have learned in WEC that this kind of performance is important to be successful. We work well as a team to maximise every stint in order to not only go for the Wingfoot Award but also the overall championship.

“[The award] is really nice, to show the consistent tire usage and also recognition of those who have a strong race pace. Three races to go, so let’s try and keep it up, and hopefully get that first Wingfoot victory!”

Farfus is also quick to praise the single versatile specification of Goodyear racing slick tire that has been available at each round so far this season: “Tire performance is very important. Goodyear has given us an incredible product in LMGT3 which gives us a lot of flexibility in terms of strategy and tire management, across broad weather conditions. We won Imola driving on slicks on a damp track so this Goodyear tire has done an incredible job of allowing us to be flexible and creative on strategy, whether that’s triple stinting or pushing hard when we get the opportunity.”
 

Lone Star Le Mans schedule (Local time GMT-5)

30th August

FP1 - 12h40

FP2 - 17h10

31st August

FP3 - 11h00

LMGT3 Qualifying - 15h00

LMGT3 Hyperpole - 15h20

1st September

R - 13h00

At the top of the Goodyear Wingfoot Award standings, Schuring trails local Brazilian driver Augusto Farfus by a single point, who has accumulated 51 points so far this season. The Team WRT driver ranked second at Le Mans, with an average lap time just 0.09 seconds shy of Schuring.

Brazil’s Autódromo José Carlos Pace, better known as Interlagos, is a 4.309 kilometre circuit which hosted its first race in 1940, and has since become an iconic motorsport venue. It welcomed WEC’s South American debut in 2012, and the championship returns this year for the first time since 2014. 

Characterized by its technical, anti-clockwise layout, the track is a challenge for drivers and teams. And with a climate likely to throw changeable conditions into the mix, São Paulo will be all about making the right strategic decisions. 

Speaking about this weekend at São Paulo, Schuring points out it’ll be the first time racing here after 10 years, so a new experience for him and many of his rivals: “After free practice we’ll know a lot more about what we have to race with,” he explains. “It’s been a long time since WEC was here but, looking back historically, it could be that it’s quite easy on the tires, or there could be higher degradation. We have experience here from testing, so I don’t expect any big surprises.”

Mike McGregor, Goodyear’s Endurance Program Manager, also comments on Brazil: “The circuit here represents a very different challenge to Le Mans. The go-kart-like layout rewards precision, and during the race the tires are almost constantly under lateral force to turn the car. Weather could also be a key factor here - if there are changeable conditions, the strategists must ensure stops are well timed. As we’ve seen this year, the Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport racing tires are well suited to mixed conditions, provided drivers can maintain temperatures.”

Le Mans masterclass by Schuring and Manthey Porsche

The Wingfoot Award recognises the relentless performance and consistency of the best endurance racing drivers. At Le Mans, it was calculated over two consecutive stints, while all other rounds of the WEC are a single stint. 

Fresh from his Goodyear Wingfoot Award and LMGT3 class victory at Le Mans, Manthey Porsche driver Morris Schuring explains what it means to be recognised as the fastest driver over two stints, which equates to 20 laps at Le Mans, or over 270 km. 

“It feels really cool to win the Goodyear Wingfoot Award at the biggest race of the year,” said Schuring. “It shows that our team did a really good job, so I’m proud to be on top of those names and among the factory drivers at Le Mans. 

“To be consistent you need to find a good rhythm. In general our tire is very consistent, so that helps us a lot. However you need a good sense of the tire, not push it to stay consistent over the stint.

“It was really tricky to make a decision between slicks and wets [during the race]. For us, the most important factor was maintaining temperature in the tires, because the slick was quite good even in rather wet conditions, so the strategy was to hold onto the slicks for as long as possible.”

“The tire is the only thing that connects the car to the track so if that’s not working, then you’re not going to be competitive. Understanding the tires is crucial. Also because we have to double or triple stint them - so for example we had 15 sets for 35 stints.” 

6 Hours of São Paulo schedule (Local time GMT-3):

12th July
FP1 - 10h45
FP2 - 15h15

13th July
FP3 - 10h30
LMGT3 Qualifying - 14h30
LMGT3 Hyperpole - 14h50

14th July
R - 11h30

The award is calculated by taking the average lap time across a set number of stints (excluding laps under Full Course Yellow, Safety Car and Slow Zones). The award recognises the consistent performance needed to be successful in endurance racing.

Speaking ahead of the next ELMS round at Imola this weekend, de Gerus explains his experience at Le Mans:

“Le Mans this year was really intense, especially with the mixed conditions and safety cars. Sometimes the track was dry and at others it was completely wet, so it was tricky to manage but in the end we did a very good job with my IDEC Sport teammates,” de Gerus explains. “It was crucial to do a clean race and to be able to finish on the podium was amazing.

“On the personal side, I was very happy to be awarded the Goodyear Wingfoot Award, which is a big deal for any driver to win.

“Many drivers know how to extract performance from an entire stint, and the most important aspect is not to be the fastest over one lap but to manage the tires over a longer duration. We made the right choices in collaboration with our Goodyear tire engineer, especially in the first stint being able to preserve and then be rewarded with extra pace later.

“It's very good for my future to understand how the Goodyear tires work in this philosophy of endurance racing,” de Gerus adds. 

“The most important thing is to take care in the corners where you generate a lot of lateral forces. For example, in the last sector at Le Mans you have to take care through the Porsche curves: not because the tires can’t handle it, but because you can gain more time towards the end of the stint.”

De Gerus and IDEC Sport will be back in action at Imola this weekend for the third round of the ELMS season.

Goodyear also presents a Wingfoot Award for the LMGT3 class after each round of the FIA World Endurance Championship. The LMGT3 winner for Le Mans will be announced ahead of next weekend’s WEC 6 Hours of Sao Paulo.

In a prime location amongst some of the race’s most prestigious brands, the Goodyear booth offered insight into the products, racing DNA and passion of the Goodyear brand. At the centre of the booth was one of the “Garage 56: NASCAR to Le Mans” development vehicles from the hugely popular Innovative Car programme that was adapted to race at Le Mans 12 months ago. 

To highlight this year’s racing activities, the Garage 56 car was joined by the Goodyear Wingfoot Award trophy which will be presented at the end of the season. The Goodyear Wingfoot Award recognises the art of consistent performance and the winner is the driver who has the best average lap time over the course of one or two stints. Porsche driver Richard Lietz won the award at the previous round, the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, and his race suit, helmet and trophy were on display.

Meet and greets and signing sessions with top LMGT3 drivers from Aston Martin, Ferrari and Porsche added to the excitement, while a brand new Goodyear fashion range proved popular with the fans, adding a further touch of style.

Visitors to the booth could also find out more about Goodyear’s consumer road tire ranges, and particularly how performance road tires like the Eagle F1 SuperSport family relate to the racing tires used on the track. An interactive quiz allowed visitors to find out more about different tires and their needs, while also offering the chance to win exclusive prizes. 

Beyond the booth in the fan village, Goodyear had a number of other areas at the circuit in which to engage with guests and VIPs. The Goodyear Racing Club overlooks the action from a dedicated grandstand, while the Goodyear Garden offers a break from the fast-paced environment as somewhere to relax. Guided tours of the operations area, the base of 100 Goodyear engineers, tire fitters and support staff, provided behind the scenes insight to guests, too.

Luca Davide Andreoni, Head of Brand Consumer Europe, Goodyear: “On the track, this was Goodyear’s biggest Le Mans operation in history, working with a record number of teams and prestigious sports car manufacturers in the new LMGT3 class. This made it the perfect opportunity to engage with fans and guests about Goodyear’s activity beyond the track. Attendance figures at Le Mans are more impressive each year, and a prime location in the fan village gave us an unrivalled opportunity to meet consumers and share our brand with them through our road tire display, motorsport experience or popular new merchandise range.”

On the track, Porsche-supported team Manthey EMA became the first ever LMGT3 class winner at Le Mans, coming to the fore in a race that was characterised by inconsistent rain and safety car interventions. Goodyear’s new slick and wet LMGT3 tires impressed teams on their Le Mans debut, with teams hitting Goodyear’s target of completing four fuel stints (around 40 laps or 545 km) on one set of tires even in the first day of track action.
 

When the No. 91 Manthey EMA Porsche 911 GT3 R crossed the finish line to become the first LMGT3 class winner in Le Mans history, drivers Richard Lietz, Yasser Shahin, and Morris Schuring had completed 281 laps; a total distance of  more than 3800 km. Just like every team in the new-for-2024 category, which features cars from nine of the world’s most desirable sports car manufacturers, they worked throughout the race with Goodyear to extract the maximum performance and distance out of their Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport LMGT3 race tires. 

To supply 39 cars across two classes, making up almost two-thirds of the entire grid at Le Mans, the scale of Goodyear’s operation was unlike ever before. Goodyear brought 7,500 tires on site, serviced by expert tire fitters working in shifts throughout the race to remove, inspect and replace a set of tires in as little as three minutes. In the pit lane, a crew of 18 track support engineers worked directly with each team throughout the race to advise on setup and strategy.

“Watching the LMGT3 cars line up on the Le Mans grid for the first time on Saturday was a proud moment,” says Mike McGregor, Goodyear’s Endurance Program Manager. “As we have been part of the development cycle for this new class since the beginning, working with every manufacturer to develop a tire range for this highly varied category, its first Le Mans was a special moment.

“Fans love the LMGT3 cars as they represent some of the most exciting sports car brands in the world, and for Goodyear we’re motivated by the opportunity to amplify our race to road messaging, underlining the technology transfer between our racing and consumer road tire ranges. Congratulations to all the teams for their relentless effort throughout the race and build-up week, and particularly to Manthey EMA for writing the history books as the first 24 Hours of Le Mans LMGT3 winner.”

Unlike other categories of endurance racing, teams in LMGT3 have just one slick and one wet tire specification available to them at each race event. Both tires used at Le Mans are the same that the teams have used at Qatar, Imola and Spa so far this WEC season. Developing tires that can perform at such a range of tracks, support front, mid and rear-engined cars, and deliver what both professional and amateur drivers in this pro-am class want, is no easy feat and the result of an 18-month development process.

During dry periods of the race, many LMGT3 teams completed four stints on a single set of tires, amounting to around 550 km of running; close to two times a Formula 1 Grand Prix race distance. One team even completed 45 laps or 613 km on the same tires. This longevity is central to Goodyear’s endurance racing strategy, providing tires that maintain their performance level over an extended period of time. 

In addition to LMGT3, Goodyear is still the exclusive tire supplier to LMP2 at Le Mans. As the category is no longer a full-time part of the FIA World Endurance Championship, Le Mans offered something of a one-off race for teams from the Goodyear-supplied European Le Mans Series and equivalent North American and Asian series. United Autosports’ Oliver Jarvis and Le Mans debutants Bijoy Garg and Nolan Siegel took the victory, crossing the line just 18 seconds clear of last year’s winner Inter Europol Competition.

The FIA World Endurance Championship season resumes on 14 July with the 6 Hours of Sao Paulo. 

Recognised for its long-term sustainability plans and clear strategies towards mitigating the impact of global motorsport operations, Goodyear is the first ACO tire partner to achieve the top three-star rating in the FIA Environmental Accreditation framework. The certification covers the motorsport programmes run by Goodyear Racing EMEA, including the brand’s presence in the FIA World Endurance Championship, 24 Hours of Le Mans and European Le Mans Series, as well as the Goodyear FIA European Truck Racing Championship.

Every Goodyear racing tire for these championships is manufactured in Goodyear’s state-of-the-art facilities in Hanau, Germany, and Colmar-Berg, Luxembourg, which have both received ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 certification. The Hanau facility is also ISCC certified since January 2024. In addition, both facilities operate with 100% renewable electricity, as do all  Goodyear EMEA manufacturing facilities. Goodyear has a long-term goal of transforming its manufacturing operations and processes to all renewable energy by 2040.

Goodyear’s other sustainability goals include fully replacing petroleum-derived oils in its products by 2040 and reaching net-zero value chain greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. 

An on-going commitment toward a more responsible approach

On the racetrack, Goodyear switched to using a single specification of slick racing tire in WEC in 2022. This year, with the introduction of the LMGT3 class for which Goodyear is the exclusive tire supplier, Goodyear still brings one specification of slick tire to each event. Other classes and championships with multiple tire compounds mean tire manufacturers often have to produce an excess to meet demand. This change has seen a 33% reduction in the number of tires Goodyear produces during a season, allowing for lower freight requirements as fewer tires are transported to the track.

In Goodyear FIA ETRC, the top tier of truck racing, Goodyear utilises retreading, in a similar practice to that used in daily commercial vehicle fleet operations. After the race, the used racing tires are retreaded to give them a renewed purpose for transportation companies, reducing the overall waste and prolonging the tire’s lifespan after they become no longer suitable for racing.

Mathias Kipp, Head of Car Racing, Goodyear EMEA: “Throughout the history of racing, technological advances in motorsport have helped develop innovations for consumers too. Today, this is no different when it comes to sustainability. This three-star FIA Environmental Accreditation rating recognises the significant advances Goodyear has made to integrate sustainability into our racing program of our racing operation, both in the factory and at the track.”

Marek Nawarecki, FIA Senior Circuit Sport Director: “The FIA Environmental Accreditation Programme allows the FIA to measure sustainability across motor sport and encourage different stakeholders to enhance their environmental performance. Motor sport is a highly influential area that has the power to impact the future of mobility. I am therefore pleased that a major stakeholder such as Goodyear, which has been a tyre supplier to different FIA competitions over the years and which transfers its know-how from the race track to the road, has achieved the highest possible environmental standard set out by the FIA.”

Pierre Fillon, President of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest: “Goodyear has a long-standing partnership with the 24 Hours of Le Mans and ACO-label series and I congratulate them on their FIA Three-Star Environmental Accreditation. This is a sign that our partners are aligned with our goal to be carbon neutral by 2030. Well done Goodyear for working to make motorsport more and more responsible”.
 

Out of a busy motorsport calendar that stretches around the world, Le Mans is the most historic event Goodyear competes in, which attracts passionate crowds, celebrities and fellow international brands. Add to that the history of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, it makes for the most exciting race of the season and the one that every driver wants to win. 

Le Mans is a 13.6 kilometre circuit in the Pays de la Loire region of France. It held its first 24-hour race in 1923, which back then the lap was some five kilometres further and took the drivers to Pontlieue before returning to the more familiar Tertre Rouge and Mulsanne Straight. 

This year, both LMGT3 and LMP2 categories will have access to their respective Goodyear medium tire compounds, which are expected to do three to four stints before needing to be changed. A single specification wet tire will also be available, which is designed to handle a broad range of circuit conditions.

Le Mans 2024 Preview with Spa Wingfoot Award Winner Richard Lietz 

A driver who knows how to win around Le Mans is Manthey Porsche driver Richard Lietz. The Austrian has been a class winner at Le Mans four times since 2007 and is hungry to add to that success in LMGT3 with Goodyear:

“We will find out how we produce a strong lap time during the Le Mans test,” Lietz explains. “[The tire at Le Mans] will be new for everyone with the new LMGT3 category. It will be the first time for me in an LMGT3 car, first time with Goodyear so we definitely need minimum degradation, maximum performance, as is the case at every race track. The test will be the crucial part in finding out how to maximise the full package.

“In general we all tested a lot with Goodyear at the beginning of the season. It will be crucial to execute a good test at Le Mans. Everyone has the same tire so the same chances, but we definitely hope for some good luck and a strong setup. We have a strong driver line up, strong team and manufacturer, so we hope to be successful.”

Wingfoot victory for Lietz and Manthey at Spa

Alongside an impressive race victory with his teammates Yasser Shanin and Morris Schuring, Lietz also won the Goodyear Wingfoot Award at the last race at Spa-Francorchamps. The award recognises consistent performance by measuring drivers’ performance over an entire stint. For Le Mans, this will be across two consecutive stints.

Speaking after receiving the trophy, he said: “It feels good [to win the award]. Especially at Spa, as it’s quite demanding on tires, so to have a consistent car and setup to perform over a stint is for sure a good result for the team, the setup and the manufacturer.

“The key to achieve a constant lap time is to drive on the limit of the tire and not over. We had around 50 hours of testing before the season started so we know the tire quite well and had a good setup. The more you have to be consistent, and the more you have to look after the tire, the better it is for our car, team and setup combination,” he explains.

“We have great technical support from Goodyear along with our tire engineer. We talk about tire temperature, pressure, camber, toe and all aspects of setup. Also where we need to analyse the information from the rubber and from Goodyear makes our relationship with our engineer very important.”

24 Hours of Le Mans schedule (Local time UTC+1):

Wednesday 12th June
FP1 - 14:00
Q1 - 19:00
FP2 - 22:00

Thursday 13th June
FP3 - 15:00
HYP - 20:00

Saturday 15th June
WU - 12:00
R - 16:00

It means a total of 39 cars will be fitted with Goodyear tires, compared to 24 at last year’s race. 

Around 7,250 tires will be produced and shipped from Goodyear’s manufacturing plant in Hanau, Germany, for Le Mans. More than 20 trucks are involved in the delivery of tires, creation of the fitting areas, and catering to take care of over 100 team members throughout the race week. 

Goodyear ensures that trucks are able to carry their maximum payload to optimise efficiency, as well as choosing environmentally friendly routes for team members to travel together to races. This also includes using Goodyear’s range of fuel-efficient truck tires that help boost efficiency of the fleet.

For long-haul races, Goodyear is using sea freight to ship tires around the world which, while adding some logistical complexity, emits 47 times fewer greenhouse gases than ocean freight per ton a mile when compared to air freight¹. 

Goodyear’s fitting area is a vital organ of the world’s most historic race, consistently taking in old tires that may have done the equivalent of two Formula 1 Grand Prix distances, and replacing them with brand new tires ready to take on the next phase of the race. Servicing thousands of tires during the weekend requires accurate data monitoring, supply management and teamwork.

Managing the on-track action, Goodyear’s team of tire engineers analyse data in real-time to track performance compared to what’s expected. Conditions such as track temperature and weather forecasts are fed to teams’ dedicated Goodyear engineers to guide on strategy and setup. 

RFID technology is used to track tire usage over a weekend. This is also communicated to track officials to ensure each competitor operates within the regulations. 

Beyond the race track

As part of Goodyear’s plan to boost the sustainability of its operations, material from the tires are used for flooring and other applications. In 2023, Goodyear unveiled its fitting area complete with flooring created from hundreds of recycled tires. 

“To prepare for and execute at Le Mans is the biggest challenge our team faces throughout the year,” says Mike McGregor, Goodyear Racing’s Endurance Program Manager. “Many of the processes are the same throughout the year, but the scale of Le Mans is unmatched. As the largest motorsport event for Goodyear since rejoining WEC almost five years ago, the sense of occasion is high, and I’m privileged to work with a team of people who work behind the scenes to ensure fantastic racing on track, and are conscious about our larger impact off it.”

1. Air Freight vs Sea Freight Carbon Footprint (The Real Numbers in 2023): https://8billiontrees.com/carbon-offsets-credits/carbon-ecological-footprint-calculators/air-freight-vs-sea-freight-carbon-footprint/

For a fifth consecutive year, the Goodyear Blimp will once again fly above Le Mans during the race week and race itself, offering not just a fun spectacle for the hundreds of thousands of fans at the track, but a truly special viewpoint for guests and VIPs with a flight ticket. 

Goodyear’s aerial ambassador for over a century

The very first Goodyear Blimps first took flight in the 1910s and Goodyear was a key pioneer in developing this new form of air travel. By the 1950s, the Goodyear Blimp began to be used for aerial television coverage, debuting with the Rose Parade and Rose Bowl American college football game in 1955 as the first aerial camera platform for the industry. Since then, the Goodyear Blimp has been a permanent fixture at events from the Super Bowl to Royal Weddings and everything in between.

Today, three Goodyear Blimps operate across the United States from bases in Ohio, Florida and California, visiting around 200 events each year. In 2020, a fourth Goodyear Blimp debuted in Europe, not only flying over the 24-hour races at Le Mans and the Nürburgring but also making hugely popular visits to cities like London, Copenhagen and Milan.

Now based at a new home at Essen/Mülheim Airport in Germany’s Rhine-Ruhr region, the European Goodyear Blimp is the largest of its kind in the world today, measuring 75 metres long, 19.5 metres wide and 17.4 metres high. It has a total volume of 8,425 m³, filled with helium, a non-flammable gas used in all modern airships for maximum safety. 

Technically speaking, the model is a Zeppelin NT semi-rigid airship, and is identical to the three Goodyear Blimps operating in the United States. It’s powered by three 200 hp engines, allowing for a maximum speed of 125 km/h and a range of 1,000 km. It typically flies following major roads and highways, to a maximum altitude of 3,000 metres, allowing a ground crew to follow below and provide navigation and communication assistance.

A packed agenda for Le Mans

Across Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Le Mans, the Goodyear Blimp has a full schedule, with a planned total of more than 20 flying hours. With space for 14 passengers at a time, a select group of VIP guests and members of the media will be given the opportunity to watch the on-track action from its large panoramic windows, from 300 metres above.

Luca Andreoni, Head of Brand Consumer Europe, Goodyear: “The Goodyear Blimp is a true icon that has been our aerial ambassador at wide-ranging international sporting and cultural events for decades. Since Goodyear returned to the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2020, it’s also been a popular fixture at Circuit de la Sarthe, too. This year, for Goodyear’s biggest Le Mans since our return, we’re excited to keep that up. If you’re at the track, be sure to look up!”

The art of what makes a great endurance racer is often something the headlines ignore. While being quick over one lap remains an essential tool in a driver’s repertoire, only the consistency of a team of drivers, engineers and mechanics can win races, which Goodyear highlights at each FIA World Endurance Championship round with its Wingfoot Award.

Goodyear had the pleasure to sit down with Filipe Albuquerque, 2023 Wingfoot Award champion and Le Mans class winner in 2020. The United Autosports driver was in great form ahead of the highest profile race of the season.

“It’s so true what they say: You don’t choose Le Mans, Le Mans chooses you,” beams Albuquerque, explaining the ups and downs of his time at the historic circuit over the years. 

“So many things can happen at Le Mans. If you lose a lap, there’s no way you’re making that back when we’re all fighting for two tenths of a second per lap among professional drivers. Those things have changed over the years, when before the difference between the winner and second place could be five or six laps.

“Everyone needs to be on their A-game to win these days.”

Goodyear Wingfoot Award shifts focus to consistent performance

Goodyear introduced the Wingfoot Award in 2023 to put a spotlight on the drivers demonstrating unwavering performance and consistency across a full stint length. At Le Mans, the award is calculated across the best triple stint for each LMP2 driver, and double stint for LMGT3 racers. Only green flag laps are calculated, so Full Course Yellow, Safety Car and Slow Zones are excluded from the final calculation. In-laps and outlaps are also discarded. 

“It was very good to get a personal award for our performance,” says Albuquerque of his full season Wingfoot Award triumph. “Endurance racing is a collective sport and in all forms of motorsport it’s not possible to win alone, and you don’t lose alone either, it’s a team effort. The nature of the sport is to divide duties between teammates so everyone has their own share of the accomplishments.

“The way the Wingfoot Award is calculated makes a lot of sense. It means it’s not just the fastest five laps or laps with low fuel that could make any driver look like the fastest. I said to Goodyear when it was unveiled, ‘thanks for developing a fair way to evaluate drivers over the course of multiple stints.’

“[The Award] has not changed the way I see racing or how I approach a weekend, but in time it could change how the young drivers who are new to endurance racing approach competition. It’s educating people who lack experience to become professional endurance drivers, instead of aiming for single lap glory without working on consistency. 

“In many forms of motorsport, a lot of emphasis is placed on if you did the fastest lap time of the race. For those guys it will change the approach because it’s the three stint average at Le Mans,” Albuquerque explains.

“It separates the drivers who are very good, but are perhaps inconsistent with track limits for example, which often leads to other issues with vibrations and car reliability.”

The “most competitive” Le Mans

With the 24 Hours of Le Mans approaching, conversation quickly turned to the on-track prospects. Albuquerque eloquently explains the connection between drivers, team and tire manufacturer.

“We will try different things with the cars to find the limits. It’s been easier for the smaller teams to find the limits with the support of Goodyear, which is great when they don’t necessarily have the most resources.

“We take for granted the consistency of the tires and how none of the teams feel the need to complain because the tire platform is the same for everybody. It’s very difficult for a manufacturer to do, but Goodyear has achieved that. It’s the tires that are enabling that consistency look amazing and it’s an underappreciated aspect of going racing with Goodyear.

“Also, hats off to Goodyear for making the tires perform superbly without the blankets on cold tires. It’s a new thing, particularly in Europe, to drive with cold tires out the pits and it’s easy to manage without sacrificing the performance of the tire. That is super hard.

“We’re driving at around 60% of the limit for a lap, and then the tire comes to us. the grip level is lower than the optimum performance, but manageble. What’s more, this is doable for all the bronze drivers too, which is so impressive.”

With Le Mans around the corner, nobody can predict how the race will pan out, only that the unwavering consistency of the best endurance racing teams and drivers will prevail. Albuquerque puts it best: “[Le Mans] is ever changing and it’s beautiful, but if you’re prepared the track comes towards you.”

Goodyear manufactures every LMGT3 tire at its state-of-the-art facility in Hanau, Germany. The factory is International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) PLUS certified. ISCC PLUS certification demonstrates Goodyear Racing’s commitment to advancing circularity and traceability, two major sustainability targets. Using bio-based and recycled materials in its racing tires decreases the demand for finite resources. 

This year, every LMGT3 tire comprises 33% roughly sustainable material. The new tire specification represents one of the highest proportions of sustainable material currently used in GT racing. Sustainable materials include natural resins, carbon black, polymers and recycled steel. In addition, wet tires include rice husk ash silica.  

A key element to managing a sustainable production is producing less. Since returning to world championship level endurance racing in 2020, one of Goodyear’s objectives has been to reduce the carbon footprint of its endurance racing program. It’s achieved this by:

Making only one dry compound available each race

In 2022, Goodyear switched to using a single slick compound, significantly reducing the number of tires produced. Multi-compound championships often have to produce an excess to meet demand and give teams strategy choice, but simplifying the structure allows for more accurate forecasting. This small change alone has seen a 33% reduction in the number of tires produced over the course of a season. 

Removal of tire warmers 

WEC was the first FIA World Championship to step away from permitting the use of tire warmers in 2023. For tire manufacturers, this helps improve sustainability in a number of ways. Firstly, it lowers the amount of equipment that’s shipped to each race and simplifies logistics. Secondly, it significantly lowers the trackside energy consumption associated with tires. Goodyear developed this spec of tire in 2022, allowing for fast warm up to compensate for teams being unable to artificially heat tires.

Tires that last multiple fuel stints

Endurance racing has always been about going further with the same resources, and that philosophy is present in Goodyear’s LMGT3 tire range. Five stints on a single set of tires is possible at Le Mans this year, equivalent to three times the distance of a Formula 1 Grand Prix. 

Intelligent logistics to reduce carbon emissions 

In 2024, Goodyear Racing’s stock and equipment will travel by sea freight, making logistical operation behind the scenes more sustainable. Long-haul flights emit 47 times more greenhouse gases than ocean freight per ton a mile³.

Multiple uses for tires after use

Mike McGregor, Goodyear Racing’s Endurance Program Manager: “We’re fully committed to lowering the carbon footprint of our motorsport program. Whether it's transporting fewer tires overall or using cutting-edge technology to increase the amount of sustainable material in our tires, it all contributes to setting the standard in motorsport. 

“In addition, Goodyear’s racing activity directly informs the future of road-going tires, too. The collaboration between our race and road development teams reaffirms our commitment to international motorsport, with the continuous progress we can bring to our tires enjoyed by drivers all over the world.”

 ^{1. https://www.environmentalreport.fia.com/}

^{2. A sustainable material is defined as a bio-based/renewable, recycled material or one that may be produced using or contributing to other sustainable practices for resource conservation and/or emissions reductions including mass-balance materials.}

^{3. Air Freight vs Sea Freight Carbon Footprint (The Real Numbers in 2023): https://8billiontrees.com/carbon-offsets-credits/carbon-ecological-footprint-calculators/air-freight-vs-sea-freight-carbon-footprint/}

Spa is a seven kilometre, 20-turn circuit with a history going back to 1925. Back then the track was over twice the length and wined its way through the nearby villages of Malmedy and Stavelot before returning to the more familiar section at Blanchimont which remains the last high-speed section on the circuit.

Goodyear will bring a single specification slick tire to Spa for the spectacular LMGT3 category, the same used in the opening two rounds at Qatar and Imola. Goodyear developed the tire to work across a wide range of circuits and temperatures, including the full range of temperatures that could greet the drivers, as is typical of Spa’s unpredictable climate.

Speaking to Goodyear ahead of the racing action, Baud, winner of the 6 Hours of Imola Wingfoot Award, explains the challenges of Spa: “Spa is a technical track, which requires a lot of effort from the tires but we are well equipped with Goodyear, a tire that I really like and feel really good with. So at Spa I will keep the same approach [as previous races]. 

“I work well and communicate collaboratively with my Goodyear engineer during free practice to find my pace during the race and put together fast laps on a very technical track. Spa is always crazy with weather conditions so who knows which strategy will be best.”

Last time out: Wingfoot Award win for Baud and TF Sport

In just his second WEC race, Baud put in an impressive performance to post the quickest average stint, maximising the performance of his TF Sport Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R. He left Imola with his first Goodyear Wingfoot Award, one that he was particularly proud to receive: 

“I am extremely happy to have won the Goodyear award for my second ever WEC race,” he enthused. “Receiving a personal award is always a huge satisfaction and it always rewards the team work. A driver is alone in the car but there is such a team effort behind it. I am even more satisfied because consistency on one stint is the point that I wanted to focus on at Imola. Seems that it worked!”

When asked about what made the difference at Imola, Baud said many factors ultimately came into play: “It's important to feel good in the car, to have the trust of your team, your teammates and to know that you have the potential to succeed,” he explained. “It is essential at the top level to know how your tires work and even more the knowledge of how to manage them. Especially when you go for two consecutive stints on the same set. You need to have a good pace from the start but without overheating them too much. Otherwise you will suffer at the end of the stint with increased degradation.

“We talk [to our tire engineer] frequently between sessions and after each stint in the car to understand how the tire evolves with the track conditions. This relationship is really crucial to be in the good performance window.”

6 Hours of Spa schedule (Local time UTC+1):

9th May

FP1 - 11h30

FP2 - 17h30

10th May

FP3 - 11h00

LMGT3 Qualifying - 14h45

LMGT3 Hyperpole - 15h30

11th May

R - 13h00

Building on past successes

Since 2017, LIST and Goodyear have worked together to achieve pioneering results in materials research, structure-property relationship understanding, and data science. Their joint efforts have positioned Luxembourg as a hub for disruptive innovation in mobility, particularly in the tire and tire-related technology sectors. 

At last year’s LIST Tech Day, the two entities had sealed the agreement for a second phase of their partnership capitalizing on Goodyear’s and LIST's expertise, infrastructure, and competencies to drive innovation and technology to a new application domain.

Focus on sustainability and digitalization 

The new contract encompasses strategic programmes comprising more than 30 projects. Spanning six years, this new contract places significant emphasis on advancing efforts focused on sustainability and digitalization within the tire industry. In terms of sustainability, the focus will be on tire products developed with bio-based and recyclable materials. As for digitalization, the spotlights will be on data science and its application for accelerating sensor prototyping timeline and efficacy. The partnership will also focus on the development of sensors capable of real-time monitoring of tire wear, aimed at enhancing safety and facilitating maintenance procedures. Additionally, efforts will be dedicated to research and development in energy harvesting and storage for wireless sensors, ensuring their durability and efficiency over time. 

Supported by the Ministry of Economy and the Industrial Partnership Block Grants (IPBG) initiative of the Luxembourg National Research Fund (FNR), this second phase of the partnership is expected to kick off by the end of April.

Strategic research programmes 

Data Science for Tire Applications - At the forefront of the digital transition, this programme aims to fit within Goodyear’s “first time right” development objective. Data Program will help Goodyear engineers develop, test and validate tire models early in the development cycle, with the goal of identifying the best performing tires before building a first prototype. 

• Tire Sensor Technology - This programme will help develop materials-based sensing technology to aid Goodyear in embedding sensors for continuous tire monitoring.
• End-of-Life Tires – This programme targets the exploration and potential development of new materials and processing technology to help improve the reuse of end-of-life tires
• Sustainable Materials - Material development programmes are designed to investigate new raw materials that could be used in all kinds of tire architectures
• Structure-Process-Property Relationships - This programme will deliver new tools to better understand complex correlations of characterization results and material performance.

Additionally, LIST and Goodyear have already identified several potential fields of interest for future collaboration.

Damien Lenoble, Director of the materials department at LIST: “The ongoing and strengthened strategic collaboration with a global and multinational company such as Goodyear is a testament to the high quality of research conducted here at LIST. We are honoured and pleased that Goodyear expanded our trusted partnership. Together, we are dedicated to developing tires that are not only better performing and smarter but also more sustainable for both users and the planet. I wish to congratulate all the teams at Goodyear and LIST who have diligently nurtured and developed this research and innovation programme over the past year and beyond.”

Romain Hansen, Vice President, EMEA Product Development at Goodyear: “I am thrilled to see this second phase of the partnership come to life. Working with influential organizations like LIST is essential to Goodyear achieving its commitment to enable mobility today and tomorrow.”

Imola is a circuit rich with rich motorsport heritage. First holding motorsport events in 1953, it has become one of the world’s most recognisable circuits, with a tight and challenging layout that demands drivers’ full attention throughout the entire race.

Wingfoot award winner Rigon discusses his home race

To preview the weekend, Goodyear caught up with local driver, and winner of the first LMGT3 Wingfoot Award, Davide Rigon. At the opening round at Qatar, Rigon, in the #54 AF Corse Ferrari 296 GT3 alongside teammates Francesco Castellacci and Thomas Flohr, finished fifth in class but his consistent pace throughout the stint earned him the Goodyear Wingfoot Award trophy. 

“It will be tougher for all of us [than Qatar], also because the track is narrower and there’s no margin for mistakes,” explains Rigon.

“Driving at Imola is always amazing, I really love the track. Driving style will play a major role here because it’s an ‘old style’ track, where every mistake will cost a lot. Compared to the recent past, the kerbs are pretty high, there is a new tarmac surface and, in general, there is more gravel now outside. Again, no margin for mistakes and track limits will have to be strictly respected otherwise you lose a lot of time.”

Rigon is hungry for the challenge of racing in front of his home fans: “I can't wait to start the weekend. Racing in front of the Tifosi will provide an extra boost, for sure. They’ve always been amazing and support us wherever we race.”

After winning the Wingfoot Award at Qatar, Rigon thanked his team for such a strong first race: “I am delighted to start the season with [the Wingfoot Award]. This award is important because it is a testament that the work we have done together with the team is good. The 296 GT3 at Qatar was amazing to drive and during my double stint, it was really enjoyable around the track. Speed, consistency and good lap times are not possible if you don’t have a car that is gentle but also effective on its tires.”

On the topic of Goodyear’s new LMGT3 tire specification, the Ferrari driver was equally complimentary: “During the long runs [in Qatar], I was pushing and the tire was providing a positive feeling throughout the stint.”

“The tires are very important and to make them work properly there is a lot of work that we are doing with the team, the engineers, with Ferrari to find the best possible setup for the entire crew, something that has worked for me and my teammates. Since I knew that I had to make a double stint, I was focused on [tire preparation and consistency].

Goodyear Racing’s Mike McGregor on Imola

To explain some of the challenges for teams and drivers, Goodyear’s Endurance Program Manager Mike McGregor gave his preview ahead of the weekend: “As the season moves from the high lateral demands of Qatar to the tighter and twisty layout of Imola, we expect to see a slightly different form guide between manufacturers here. The emphasis will be on setting the car up to handle the bumps and kerbs. Meanwhile, there’s a lot of time to be gained on the brakes here, too. 

“Tire wear will be less sensitive than Qatar, due to the expected lower temperatures and track characteristics. It’s a smooth track, too, so expect teams to run multiple stints per tire.

“The Wingfoot Award captures why Goodyear competes in top-level endurance racing,” adds McGregor. “The ability to perform consistently and preserve tire life throughout a stint is the key to any successful endurance racing campaign. 

“Finally, congratulations to Davide Rigon and AF Corse for taking home the first Wingfoot Award trophy of the LMGT3 era.”

6 Hours of Imola schedule (Local time UTC+1):

19th April

FP1 - 12h00

FP2 - 17h15

20th April

FP3 - 11h10

Q1 - 14h45

Q2 - 15h05

Q3 -15h25

Q4 -15h45

21st April

R - 13h00

Full 6 Hours of Imola entry list

A total of 22 LMP2 cars (14 LMP2; 8 LMP2 Pro/Am) have entered ELMS this season. They will be joined by 11 LMGT3 cars with manufacturers Aston Martin, Ferrari, Lamborghini and Porsche represented. 

Across the 2024 season, ELMS will visit six of the most iconic motorsport venues in Europe, beginning at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya for the Prologue and first round, before moving onto the likes of Mugello - a new calendar entrant - Spa-Francorchamps and Portimao.

To explain the similarities and differences between LMP2 and LMGT3, Goodyear’s Endurance Program Manager Mike McGregor provides an overview as to how the two disciplines compare.

Part of the same endurance DNA

If you were to explore the genome of a modern LMP2 and LMGT3 machine, the DNA that powers strategy, efficiency and competition would be an ancestral match. The ties between the two categories are extremely similar when it comes to extracting the most performance. 

Extending stints and managing resources is a key component of success. Goodyear has engineered tires to provide relentless performance for around two hours despite the difference in demands.

“We needed to build a tire that would not only fire up quickly, but last two or three stints depending on the circuit,” says McGregor. “The two categories share this factor, and Goodyear Racing has worked to build a stable and consistent platform for the two categories.” 

The variety of driver skill is another element that LMGT3 and LMP2 share. Goodyear has developed a tire that can also work across the full spectrum of FIA Driver Categorisation which covers Bronze-rated amateur drivers up to seasoned Platinum professional drivers. 

A key characteristic of the tire is its short warm up phase. This helps amateur drivers find the limit of the car quickly and confidently. What’s more, the tire’s performance remains consistent across a stint with minimal drop in performance, helping drivers get into a comfortable rhythm while completing a stint.

Differences that go beyond skin-deep

Downforce, power and weight remain the key differences between LMGT3 and LMP2 machines. An LMP2 car generates roughly 50% more downforce compared to an LMGT3. Higher downforce for LMP2 means that they have much better cornering performance, particularly at high speed, and have overall sharper handling. 

For this season, LMP2 cars will have 580bhp (up from 540bhp in 2023) delivered by the same 4.2 Litre V8 GK428 Gibson engine. Weight is also reduced from 950kg to 930kg, and larger fuel tanks (from 69 litres to 75 litres) will be permitted. These changes are estimated to be worth around 1 second per lap.

Weight is another key difference, with LMP2 cars coming in at 950 kilograms and LMGT3 significantly heavier, typically between 1,200 and 1,300 kilograms.

For tire designers at Goodyear, the biggest difference is how each category works the tires through the corners. 

“LMGT3 cars have greater pitch and roll than LMP2,” McGregor explains. “The amount of damping force going through the tire means what we demand from the tire is completely different. The downforce created by LMP2 cars means they are less susceptible to body roll and are usually set up stiffer so the downforce can act more consistently.

“LMP2 chassis are built to a pure race car specification which gives us a more consistent platform to develop a bespoke tire. With LMGT3, we have a brand new tire concept to ensure it works well with everybody. 

“You have to consider all the different types of cars in GT racing. We have front-, mid- and rear-engined cars so the weight distribution is very different. Goodyear Racing’s design team has done an incredible job of ensuring that a single tire specification works well with every car.”

LMGT3: The road car connection that goes beyond the shell

The allure of GT racing is partly due to the similarities between the cars competing and their road-going counterparts. Not only is this great for fans, but it also lowers the overall cost of an LMGT3 entry compared to the previous generation LMGTE. 

“For us, endurance racing is about showcasing Goodyear’s technology; with LMGT3, it’s the closest thing you can get to a road car,” adds McGregor. “The cars use many of the same components and the regulations limit the degree that teams and manufacturers can make modifications.

“The new Goodyear Racing tires are developed to go as long and as fast as possible. If you look at the end consumer for road cars like the Porsche 911 GT3 RS, this tire is exactly suited to that type of category. So not only does participation demonstrate Goodyear’s commitment to international endurance racing, it also helps us develop technologies for the future that ultimately benefit the end user.”

With a large variety of tire choices available on the market, it's crucial for drivers to recognize the significant performance disparities among them. The choice of tires can dramatically affect braking distances, with disparities of up to 15 meters on wet roads at 80 km/h and seven meters on dry surfaces at 100 km/h ¹. While the upfront cost of investing in high-quality summer tires may appear significant, the long-term benefits encompass not only improved performance and comfort but also substantial savings. ³ 

Drive twice the kilometers 

The German automotive publication Auto Bild compared the mileage of 20 summer tires, ranking the premium Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 first with 63,200 km. This is more than double the km you can drive with the tire ranked last in the test. ²    

Auto Bild also compared the price/1,000 km mileage of 20 summer tires, with the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 being the cheapest tire for € 8.70/1,000 km. That is around 50% less than the average of the price/1,000 km of the last seven ranked tires (€ 16.14). ³ 

This translates to a saving of around 50% for every 1,000 km travelled. 

Ready for electric vehicles  

Modern high-quality summer tires are also optimized for the special needs of electric vehicles. In fact, all Goodyear tires are designed to be suitable for use with both electric vehicles (EVs) and traditional combustion engine vehicles. 

The Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 summer tire incorporates innovative features to manage the increased weight and higher torque typical of EVs, while an innovative noise-cancelling tread pattern reduces cabin noise.⁴ 

Superb comfort 

Goodyear’s SoundComfort Technology can half interior car noise (up to 4 dB),⁴ making the tire a perfect fit for EVs as tire and road noises are the dominant interior sounds in most EVs.  

In addition, drivers benefit from outstanding comfort provided by cutting-edge features like the Goodyear’s SealTech technology which seals tread penetrations up to 5 mm in diameter. Selected sizes of the Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 are available with this additional attribute. 

Award-winning performance boosts driving experience 

The Goodyear summer tire Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 has achieved numerous awards. In 2023, Auto Bild awarded the tire ‘Eco-Master’, and Goodyear ‘Top Manufacturer of Summer Tires’ for the second consecutive year.¹ 

Additionally, Auto Bild allrad recently crowned the tire test winner.⁷ 

The tire features cutting-edge advancements such as the Dry Contact Plus Technology helping the tire adapt to the style of driving and vehicle demands and improving performance on dry roads.⁴ In wet weather conditions, the Wet braking Pro Technology, building on Goodyear’s racing experience, allows the tire to have more micro-contact with the road surface, giving drivers improved handling and braking. ⁴ 

Sonia Leneveu, Director Marketing Consumer Europe: “Goodyear builds on more than 125 years shaping the future of mobility and developing market leading tires. This summer, we are proud to offer an even larger range of our awarded Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 which offers an outstanding driving experience as well as excellent efficiency and economic benefits for drivers, no matter the car they drive.” 

Summer tires are recommended in summer instead of winter tires 

When the temperatures rise in spring Goodyear recommends drivers changing to a summer equipment for their cars. Latest tests prove that wet braking from 80 km/h at 15°C with winter tires results in around two meters of extra braking distance compared to summer tires. ⁵   

Also, the German ADAC recommends replacing winter tires with summer tires at summer temperatures because of the increased risk of accidents.⁶ 

“The warmer the temperature, the larger the performance difference”, Laurent Colantonio, Regional Technology Director EMEA, Goodyear explains. “Driving with winter tires in summer causes differences in the dynamic behavior of the vehicle, while the specific compounds and design used in summer tires guarantee an optimal wear rate, with positive impact on mileage, efficiency and sustainability.” 

Tire maintenance tips  

Only with the right maintenance drivers get the most out of their premium tires and can even save money in the long run. 

• Inspect tires regularly for damage and ensure they meet the minimum legal tread depth required. Worn tires particularly suffer in wet conditions as the tread designed to evacuate water is worn away. 
• Pressure checks should be conducted once a month. Underinflated tires will not only cause your vehicle to use more fuel, but also increase wear and, in extreme cases, cause tire failure. Always follow manufacturer guidance on tire pressure. This information can be found in the car’s handbook. Never use tires below the recommended load index. 
• Avoid contact with kerbs and potholes where possible. Furthermore, finding the most efficient route and smooth driving will increase tire life and boost fuel economy. 

______________ 

1. AutoBild summer tire test 2023, comparing 50 summer tires on braking on wet at 80 km/h, braking on dry at 100 km/h, tire size 225/45R18, test car BMW 3 series. 

2. AutoBild summer tire test 2023, comparing 20 summer tires on mileage.   

3. AutoBild summer tire test 2023, comparing 20 summer tires on price/1,000 km. 

4. Compared to predecessor Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 

5. GY internal test, wet braking at 80 km/h Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 compared to Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 at 15°C, tire size 225/45R17, test car Golf 8, Mireval 2024. 

6. https://www.adac.de/rund-ums-fahrzeug/ausstattung-technik-zubehoer/reifen/sicherheit/winterreifen-sommer/ 

7. Auto Bild issue 11/2024, summer tire test 2024, comparing 11 summer tires in the size 235/55R19 

The new Citroën ë-C3 is the first all European designed and built affordable small car without any compromise on quality, experience and comfort.

Goodyear will supply the EfficientGrip Performance 2, a summer tire designed to offer ultra-low rolling resistance to increase efficiency and therefore electric range. It also features a flexible tread pattern that helps to reduce fractures caused by rough road surfaces, resulting in excellent durability.

Moreover, this original equipment partnership perfectly aligns with the recent introduction of Goodyear’s ‘Ready for EV’ strategy. As such, Goodyear has introduced two new labels visible on the sidewall of all EV and PHEV original equipment fitments, as seen on the ë-C3. These labels, known as Electric Drive Technology (EDT) and Electric Drive Ready (EDR), indicate the incorporation of a tailored set of technologies to cater for the specific and unique features of an electrified vehicle, such as combination of high load capacity, handling, and noise reduction.

Collaboration in the spirit of sustainability

Goodyear and Citroën share a successful sustainable partnership. In 2022 Goodyear developed the Eagle GO concept tire  to be fitted to the Citroën concept car, Oli. Its tread compound was made almost entirely out of sustainable or recycled materials.

Now, this latest OE fitment to the ë-C3 demonstrates the shared commitment to foster sustainability in the automotive industry, driven by innovation.

Johannes Moll, Managing Director Consumer OE, Goodyear EMEA commented: “Goodyear is delighted to have been chosen by Citroën to equip the new ë-C3. Our EfficientGrip Performance 2 offers a summer solution that perfectly complements the ë-C3’s modern electric capabilities, showcasing our commitment to delivering innovative solutions for electric vehicles and the future of electric mobility."

 The Dębica Presto range is focused between 16 and 19 inches, reflective of the evolving consumer demand towards larger SUVs. In addition, the new tire addresses the increasing importance of the budget summer tire segment which has grown by 3.6% over the last five years. ¹ 

 Dębica Presto features a number of technologies designed for versatile applications, delivering dependable performance and robustness also for larger vehicles. In addition, its excellent fuel efficiency is thanks to a low rolling-resistant tread compound, making it ideal for budget-conscious drivers.  

 A water-evacuating tread pattern helps braking on wet surfaces, offering the driver a more reliable feel in wet conditions. The robust construction gives the tire a wide range of possible fitments, many of which are suitable for the latest SUVs.  

 Sonia Leneveu, Director Marketing Consumer Europe, Goodyear: “With the launch of Dębica’s latest summer tire, the brand continues to position itself as a strong player within the budget summer tire market. Dębica Presto will be available in 22 sizes, which respond strategically to market trends and offer customers quality products at a competitive price point.” 

 Dębica Presto SKUs 2024  

  _________

 (1) GFK sell-out data summer tires 2019-2023 from 9 EU countries: Austria, France, Germany, UK, Portugal, Spain, Romania, Italy, Greece 

The new Passat will be launched as a versatile estate car, known as the Variant in most markets, in the first quarter of 2024. With more than 34 million units sold worldwide, the Passat is the top-selling Volkswagen of all time after the Golf and ahead of the Beetle. The vehicle will be produced in three new plug-in and mild hybrid drives, and five turbocharged petrol and diesel engine versions.

Goodyear boasts an exceptional lineup of tires that will equip the Passat, including the renowned Vector 4Seasons Gen-3, EfficientGrip Performance 2, UltraGrip Performance 3 and Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 models. This range showcases innovative technology which will help complement the powerful aerodynamic design and the high-efficiency drivetrain that Volkswagen promises with the new Passat Variant.

From Goodyear’s all-season range, the Vector 4Seasons Gen-3 has been recognised for its excellent performance in wet conditions, whilst also offering benefits such as improved dry braking and dry handling. The Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 and Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 are both summer tires which are long lasting and offer excellent performance and braking on both wet and dry roads. Goodyear’s UltraGrip Performance 3 is a winter tire, designed to provide excellent traction and handling in snowy and icy conditions, as well as on wet roads.

Goodyear has a strong history of working closely with leading car manufacturers to develop tires tailored to specific vehicle models. This commitment to OE tire development aligns perfectly with Volkswagen's vision for the Passat Variant, ensuring owners experience high levels of quality, efficiency and comfort.

Johannes Moll, Managing Director OE Consumer, Goodyear EMEA commented: "We are proud to be selected as one of the original equipment tire providers for the all-new Volkswagen Passat Variant. This partnership underscores Volkswagen's unwavering confidence in Goodyear's tire technology to complement their vehicles. We eagerly anticipate playing a role in delivering the exceptional driving experience that the Passat Variant promises to offer its discerning customers."

The car is fitted with Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen-3, EfficientGrip Performance 2, UltraGrip Performance 3 and Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 models in the following sizes: