New 'Michelin Pilot Sport Endurance' Delivers Outstanding Longevity and Performance at 2026 24 Hours of Le Mans

Note: This release is a translated excerpt of the English version originally issued in Paris, France on June 15, 2026.

The 2026 Michelin Pilot Sport Endurance, made with 50% renewable and recycled materials, achieved race lap times approximately one second faster than the 2025 model, delivering exceptional performance in the hypercar era.

Improved warm-up performance and expanded tire operating range enabled intense, high-speed racing where tire durability was a critical factor. Hypercar teams selected from three available compounds, with many completing three stints and some even achieving four.

Toyota Racing, Michelin’s long-standing endurance partner, optimized tire management with technical advisory support from the Michelin Motorsport team, perfectly controlling the race to claim overall victory.

On the occasion of the 94th 24 Hours of Le Mans, Michelin took a significant step toward more sustainable motorsport by providing partners with the new 'Michelin Pilot Sport Endurance' featuring 50% renewable and recycled materials.

The 2026 model’s stability and exceptional longevity enabled numerous hypercar teams to adopt three-stint, and in some cases four-stint, strategies, significantly reducing the total number of tires used during the race. Most teams completed the race using no more than 12 of their 14 allowed sets (48 out of 56 tires), representing a reduction of approximately 150 tires compared to the 2025 model.

The fastest in-race lap time was also reduced by about one second, making the 2026 Michelin Pilot Sport Endurance the fastest tire in the hypercar era. Never before has a tire with such a high level of technological sophistication—both in materials and performance—been used in actual competition. All 18 hypercars entered in the 2026 24 Hours of Le Mans were subject to a uniform limit of 14 tire sets (56 tires) for the entire 24-hour race, with no exceptions allowed. Teams freely selected from three compounds (soft, medium, hard) for race strategy, and all compounds delivered consistently high performance, showing clear improvements over the 2025 model.

Pierre Alves, Michelin Motorsport’s Endurance Racing Program Manager, stated:

"At a track temperature of 44°C, our partners had two choices at the start: the hard tire, offering perfect stability in high temperatures, or the medium compound, enabling a more aggressive strategy with sustained high pace. Despite the extreme heat, both options demonstrated great versatility, and we confirmed that teams could complete three consecutive stints regardless of compound choice—achieving a major milestone."

In the first few hours, hypercars were split between hard and medium tires, but all teams completed three consecutive stints. As track temperatures dropped, the medium tire emerged as the ideal choice during the first hours after sunset.

The #51 Ferrari 499P, equipped with medium tires, driven by Pier Guidi, Calado, and Giovinazzi, completed four stints totaling 49 laps (approximately 670 km). As temperatures cooled overnight, the Michelin Pilot Sport Endurance soft tire—identified by white markings on the sidewall—entered the race. The #8 Toyota TR010 Hybrid, driven by Buemi and Hartley, completed four stints on soft tires, covering 47 laps, before switching back to medium tires early the next morning.

Thereafter, all hypercars continued on medium tires until Sunday afternoon. With two hours remaining and track temperatures exceeding 50°C, some teams—including Ferrari AF Corse and Peugeot Sport—switched from medium to hard tires.

"For Michelin, the 2026 24 Hours of Le Mans will be remembered as a sporting and technical triumph. We undertook the ambitious challenge of completely renewing our endurance tire lineup, and the results met our expectations. While the 2025 model was highly praised by partner teams, the 2026 version shows significant advancements in warm-up performance, performance consistency, and durability. In addition to performance gains, Michelin has taken a bold step by incorporating 50% renewable and recycled materials into the tire. This represents a major technological and industrial challenge. Michelin Motorsport’s innovation strongly supports the Group’s goal of manufacturing tires from 100% renewable and recycled materials by 2050," said Pierre Alves.

Toyota Racing claims victory in the closing stages

In the final hours, a fierce battle unfolded between BMW M Team WRT and Toyota Racing, with Toyota emerging victorious. The #7 Toyota TR010 Hybrid (Conway, Kobayashi, de Vries) crossed the finish line first, followed by the #20 BMW M Hybrid V8 (Frijns, Lotterer, van der Linde). The #8 Toyota TR010 Hybrid fought hard in the closing stages to secure a podium finish.

"We congratulate Toyota Racing on their victory at the 94th 24 Hours of Le Mans. Beyond pure performance, race strategy is fundamental to Le Mans, and once again, Toyota Racing perfectly managed the race and tires with Michelin’s technical advisory support. The quality of our partner support is rooted in the professionalism and dedication of the entire Michelin Motorsport Endurance team. We also extend our deepest respect and gratitude to everyone involved in this event for their outstanding work," said Pierre Alves.

The next round of the FIA WEC World Endurance Championship will be held in Brazil from July 10 to 12, as the São Paulo 6 Hours.

* A stint refers to a race segment defined by pit stop intervals.

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