New Michelins have an interesting thread pattern

Michelin has officially introduced its new Pilot Sport Endurance 2026 tires for the upcoming Hypercar (WEC) and GTP (IMSA) seasons. Unveiled in early June, the range includes soft, medium, and hard compounds that will debut during the 2026 season as part of Michelin’s exclusive supply agreement running through 2029

What immediately stands out is the striking new tread design. Unlike previous slicks, these tires feature a visible grooved pattern across all compounds. The design nods to Michelin’s previous Vision concept tires and symbolizes the brand’s sustainability push. It also serves a practical purpose making fresh tires instantly recognizable during pit stops.

Sustainability lies at the core of the development. Michelin has increased the proportion of renewable and recycled materials in the tire compounds from roughly 30% to 50%, reflecting its aim to balance performance with environmental responsibility

Plans also include recycling used race tires via pyrolysis to recover carbon black for future production.

On the track, the new range is designed for faster warm-up and improved consistency, especially crucial now that tire warmers are banned. Michelin estimates drivers will save 3–5 seconds on the opening laps compared to the outgoing specification

Final validation testing is underway, including a session at Watkins Glen later this month, with production slated for August and first availability ahead of the 2026 Rolex 24 at Daytona.

In summary, Michelin’s new hypercar tires combine a distinctive grooved design, greener construction, and on-track performance gains—signaling a forward-thinking leap for endurance racing. These tires will begin racing next January at Daytona and throughout the full 2026 WEC and IMSA campaigns.