Le Mans Tyres Explained: 24hr Endurance Racing

The world of motorsport and racing extends far beyond the limits of Formula One, encompassing races across different terrains, different climates, and different racing periods.

The 24 hours of Le Mans is an iconic race that’s held every year in Le Mans, France. It is recognised as one of the world’s most famous track races and motorsport events and sees drivers competing over a 24 hour period on a 13.6km track – completing lap after lap in a test of endurance and driving precision.

While every motorsport event and race has its own challenges, Le Mans is all about balancing speed and the number of laps completed with the need for a vehicle to run for 24 hours without failure. The winning team and vehicle is the one that travels the furthest total distance in the 24 hour period.

So, what does that mean for vehicle maintenance during the race, and specifically the tyres used?

How Does Le Mans 24 Hour Race Work?

Teams operating a single vehicle have a total of three drivers, who rotate in and out during the 24 hours period to allow for breaks and rest.

There are three different categories of 24 hour race that exist in Le Mans, one for supercars, one for Le Mans specific vehicles that are designed for endurance racing, and one for touring cars that are closer to regular vehicles.

The winning team is the one that travels the further distance over the 24 hour period, with most modern competitors surpassing the 5,000km mark with ease.

What Do Drivers Need From Le Mans Tyres?

During the 24 hour race at Le Mans, drivers and their teams are allowed to change their set of tyres a maximum of twice. What’s more, they are allowed to bring a maximum of 16 sets of tyres with them to allow for all eventualities in terms of conditions, temperature and weather.

Michelin, one of the industry’s most famous and iconic premium brands, is the official supplier for the supercar category at Le Mans and across the entire FIA Endurance World Championship – with the race at Le Mans allowing teams to have access to all three types of slick tyres to maximise their performance.

Some of the key features of Le Mans tyres include:

• Durability - unlike so many motorsport tyres, those that are fitted for the 24 hour race at Le Mans need to be able to offer consistency as well as performance, and withstand the test of time
• Sustainability – a major commitment of Michelin to the sport and to the industry
• Performance - with the ability to maintain a steady temperature and reliable grip on the track
• Versatility – tyres can only be changed twice during a 24 hour race, and so it’s important that the tyres selected and fitted to the vehicle are suitable for varying conditions and strategies

The tyres that are built for Le Mans and other endurance races use TPMS technology to alert drivers to any issues with pressure and use a range of different rubber compounds according to the tyre type and the conditions it is designed to navigate. The rubber that’s used to construct these tyres is both heat resistant and integrated with silica to optimise grip, traction and performance.

How Do Race Tyres Differ From Car Tyres?

You might be reading this and thinking that all of those attributes sound perfect for a regular car.

Well, the reality is that while Le Mans tyres by Michelin are built to endure the high pressure of the 24 hour race environment, they do not offer the durability or consistency that’s needed by everyday drivers. Rather, these tyres support high-performance and precision handling but are not strong enough to withstand the changing terrains of regular road surfaces and off-road tracks.

That’s not to say that Michelin doesn’t have its own range of leading premium and high-performance tyres that are suitable for regular cars – in fact, Michelin has some of the most popular models and ranges on the market. Browse the full collection on our Michelin brand page, looking out specifically for the Pilot Sport range if speed and handling are your priorities!