Goodyear has been selected to be the single tyre supplier for the LMP2 classes of the FIA World Endurance Championship from the 2020/21 season onwards and the European Le Mans Series from 2021.

This decision follows the confirmation that the class would become a single-tyre formula in the WEC from the 2020/21 season as part of the move to slow the LMP2 cars down to ensure the Le Mans Hypercars (which are set to be significantly slower than the current LMP1s) have a performance advantage. In addition to having a spec tyre, LMP2 cars will also receive a rev limit reduction.

Goodyear being awarded the LMP2 contract comes in the wake of decision from the FIA WEC to award its rival supplier Michelin the Le Mans Hypercar tyre category contract from next season on. It means both prototype classes will become single-make from next season. DSC understands however, that the GTE classes will remain open for multiple suppliers to go head-to-head.

This has all had a knock-on effect for the ELMS, which also features LMP2 as an open-tyre category. However, going forward, with teams from the ELMS and WEC both racing at Le Mans together, it’s a logical move for the ACO to select one tyre manufacturer across the two championships.

“Goodyear’s heritage at Le Mans includes some of the most iconic victories from the 1960s to the 1990s,” said Pierre Fillon, the ACO’s President.

“We are delighted that such a well-known, worldwide brand, built on a winning pedigree, has chosen the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the WEC and ELMS to prove their technology in the most demanding of racing environments. Their commitment to the future of endurance racing is inspiring and echoes the ethos of the ACO and all our endurance racing championships.”

Mike Rytokoski, Vice-President and Chief Marketing Officer, Consumer EMEA at Goodyear added: “Goodyear has a long and remarkable history in motorsport. In addition to our unbeaten record in Formula One with 368 Grand Prix wins, we have 14 overall wins in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. This partnership allows us to showcase our technology, durability and performance in the most famous endurance race in the world. We are proud to have been chosen for this challenge.”

This has broken shortly after DSC learned that tomorrow’s 8 Hours of Bahrain will be the last for High Class Racing on Goodyear tyres, the Danish team set to switch to Michelin for the remaining WEC rounds this season. This leaves just the JOTA and Jackie Chan DC Racing ORECAs running with Goodyear in the FIA WEC from CoTA onwards.