How Goodyear Racing continues to push forward sustainability in World Endurance Championship (WEC)
The first round of the FIA World Endurance Championship in Qatar marked LMGT3’s arrival to the championship, with Goodyear as the exclusive tyre supplier. Through its new specification of LMGT3 tyre and improvements to the logistical component of supporting the category, Goodyear has supported WEC and the FIA’s sustainability objectives to make the sport cleaner and more environmentally responsible.
Goodyear manufactures every LMGT3 tyre 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 tyres decreases the demand for finite resources.
This year, every LMGT3 tyre comprises 33% roughly sustainable material. The new tyre 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 tyres 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 tyres 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 tyres produced over the course of a season.
Removal of tyre warmers
WEC was the first FIA World Championship to step away from permitting the use of tyre warmers in 2023. For tyre 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 tyres. Goodyear developed this spec of tyre in 2022, allowing for fast warm up to compensate for teams being unable to artificially heat tyres.
Tyres 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 tyre range. Five stints on a single set of tyres 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 tyres 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 tyres overall or using cutting-edge technology to increase the amount of sustainable material in our tyres, it all contributes to setting the standard in motorsport.
“In addition, Goodyear’s racing activity directly informs the future of road-going tyres, 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 tyres enjoyed by drivers all over the world.”
