Michelin : and the 2021 FIA World Endurance Championship (FIA WEC)

DOSSIER DE PRESSE

MOTORSPORT

Boulogne-Billancourt, France April 29, 2021

Michelin and the 2021 FIA World Endurance Championship (FIA WEC)

•
•	A new ranges of Michelin tyres	developed entirely virtually	for the
	headlining Le Mans Hypercar class

• Michelin seizing new opportunities to demonstrate its pioneering spirit while continuing to prioritise the durability and consistency of its tyres, irrespective of their level of wear, in wet and dry conditions alike

Michelin has been a loyal partner of the FIA World Endurance Championship since campaign has seen the introduction of the new headlining Le engineers have developed a specific range of tyres.

Michelin has snapped up this opportunity to continue showcasing its ability to provide its partners with tyres that combine unrivalled durability and a level of performance that remains consistently high from the start to finish of every stint. The FIA World Endurance Championship serves as the perfect platform to highlight the qualities of its Hypercar tyres which are the fruit of an innovative development process, having been designed solely using computers and simulators.

FIA WEC: An incubator for innovative technologies

The FIA World Endurance Championship allows Michelin to think outside of the box in design terms, while simultaneously honing future technologies, using two- and four-wheel motorsport as a high-tech laboratory to work on emerging new processes.

To this end, the FIA World Endurance Championship provides an ideal opportunity to test and evaluate ideas aimed at improving durability and preserving performance as tyres wear. As a function of the results obtained, these techniques can then be carried over to the development of tyres for everyday road-going vehicles.

Different performance-related parameters can be explored in extreme racing conditions to collect essential data that it is then possible to channel Research and Development efforts, thereby building solid technological bridges between motorsport and mass-

MOTORSPORT

Treating racing drivers and motorists in the same way

Michelin sees no reason why the high performance demanded by racing drivers should not go on to benefit ordinary by providing them with tyres that deliver consistent characteristics and safety standards throughout their lifespan, irrespective of their level of wear or weather conditions.

During endurance races, as well as in regular everyday motoring scenarios, the need for performance and safety is identical. Impeccable roadholding, short stopping distances, combating aquaplaning and stability in emergency situations all

contribute tomitment to ensuring consistency throughout the lifecycle of its tyres.

In the world of racing, these qualities translate into a tangible competitive advantage, enabling drivers to keep pushing and fighting for victory without having to worry about the condition of their tyres as they complete lap after lap. In this way, Michelin creates the possibility for its partners to refine their strategies, including the option of running multiple stints. These in turn save time in the pit- lane, while allowing drivers to stay out on the track for longer periods between pit- stops.

save money by not having to replace them as often. They can benefit safely from all the way down to the tread wear indicator without having to replace their tyres pre-emptively due to a fall-off in performance, an avoidable

yet all-too-frequently seen scenario.

Longevity: Good for the environment

Tyres that deliver consistent performance as they wear are capable of covering more kilometres before being replaced. Furthermore, the FIA World Endurance

regarding the number of tyres teams may use during events, a move made possible

The combination of these factors means Michelin can manufacture fewer tyres, which in turn use fewer raw materials and less energy for their production. Moreover, transporting fewer tyres to races reduces the carbon footprint associated with the logistical side of the operation. The need for end-of-life recycling is similarly reduced.

MOTORSPORT

Proven expertise

The performance delivered by any tyre in the course of its working life is dependent on its design and the expertise of its manufacturer. The raw materials it employs, how they are blended and the tyre

performance and wear. They consequently necessitate

Research and Development experts, not to mentionhigh level of investment in skilled staff, raw materials, laboratory equipment and machines.

In the same way that providing tyres that deliver long-lasting performance means top racing drivers on Michelin tyres are able to perform at their peak for longer, ordinary motorists get to benefit from optimum safety over time, while simultaneously reducing their expenditure and diminishing the environmental impact of their journeys.

For all of these reasons, but also thanks to its passion for motorsport, commitment and resolve to keep raising the bar, Michelin is more involved than ever this year in the FIA World Endurance Championship.

strategy

The Michelin Group recently revealed its long-term strategy to the world, centred on its Everything Sustainable vision. This publicly-presented plan for action and growth covers all present and forthcoming aspects of its business with the aim of ensuring a brighter future for both Michelin and its staff. This new strategy is founded on three pillars: People, Profit and Planet.

People: Michelin has always put people at the very heart of its focus. Against the backdrop of a challenging global health situation, the company implemented protocols to protect its employees right from the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.

management is extremely high, as illustrated by an employee engagement rate in excess of 83 percent. Yet Michelin is keen to go even further in this respect and has targeted an employee engagement rate of more than 85 percent, and for at least 35 percent of its management positions to be filled by women. Moreover, Michelin is and intends to remain a global benchmark in the field of safety at work, with a TCIR (Total Case Incident Rate) of less than half-a-percent.

Profit: annual increase in sales of five percent between 2023 and 2030. Michelin also wants to see between 20 and 30 percent of its sales come from areas of the business other than tyres. It is equally important to create value for the entire Group through dedicated offers for publicly- and privately-run vehicle fleets.

MOTORSPORT

Last but by no means least, Michelin will continue its external expansion into current growth sectors such as composite products and 3D metal printing.

Planet: Michelin intends to considerably reduce the CO2 emissions that result from both its manufacturing activities and the transportation of its products, with the objective of becoming carbon neutral by 2050. The brand also aims to significantly increase the ratio of sustainable materials used to manufacture its tyres, with a goal of 40 percent by 2030 and 100 percent by 2050.

views all of its activities, and which can now be found at the very core of its growth strategy. Motorsport, on both two wheels and four, fits perfectly with this overarching policy.

The 2021 FIA World Endurance Championship

The ongoing global health situation has called for a great deal of flexibility and the

indicative of the resolve of all of the stakeholders involved in this formidable adventure. While waiting for the pandemic to be brought fully under control, the FIA World Endurance Championship has successfully put together a calendar featuring six rounds, including the Le Mans 24 Hours which has been moved back from its traditional June slot to August (see calendar) in the hope of being able to

accommodate spectators at the track-raiser the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps at the iconic Ardennes circuit in Belgium on May 1 will take place behind closed doors.

-haul

fixtures.

health Pierre Alvès, the manager

adapted for those whose job requires them to attend motorsport events. Ahead of each race, we closely examine the location and the relevant FIA protocols, and adapt in order fulfil our duties in the most efficient way possible. Our team advisers, who are very important to our partners both prior, to and during races, are embedded in the than with us.

other staff, those who are in direct contact with the teams and whose numbers we have restricted to just one per partner team remain with their team throughout the race week.

MOTORSPORT

Normally, there would have been frequent interaction between us all, between sessions, during races and at the end of the working day, and we would all leave the track together for the hotel, where we would continue to mingle and chat. As that is not currently possible, we have introduced debriefs via videoconference. This allows us to continue providing our partner teams with the same high level of service, while limiting any health risks as much

The MICHELIN Pilot Sport range of tyres for the 2021 FIA World Endurance Championship

The chief new feature of the 2021 FIA World Endurance Championship is the arrival of the new Le Mans Hypercar (LMH) category which replaces LM P1 as the premier class. The technical regulations for these cars are entirely new

and Michelin has been nominated by the	FIA (Fédération Internationale de
) and ACO (Automobile Club de	tyre supplier for

this landmark season. Three constructors will run prototypes in the class this year, before being joined by others in 2022, and more still in 2023, best-known round the Le Mans 24 Hours will celebrate its centenary.

Michelin has developed a new range of tyres for the Hypercars as a function of their technology, weight and performance characteristics. They are easy to identify thanks to their sidewall design which features the blue and yellow colours of Michelin, along with a chequered flag on a white background.

something of a

Pierre Alves

quickly and closely with the constructors, but without access to an actual car. All we could use was simulation software. The Hypercars are technically very different to the LM P1s we have been accustomed to in recent years. To begin with, they are heavier and less powerful, although the power output of their internal combustion engines is higher and the amount of electric power delivered by the hybrid cars has come down. Despite being heavier, their top speeds are the same, however, while their aerodynamics are less complex, with only a single configuration authorised for the entire season, compared with two previously. The teams have consequently had to find a compromise that generates little downforce at fast circuits and less downforce at the slower venues. At the end of the day, these cars put more constraints on their tyres and the phenomenon of wear is more marked. All of these constraints needed to be taken onboard, but we have them all covered

Designed entirely virtually

The digital- and simulator-based development work carried out by Michelin

Motorsport	quickly produced excellent results and the first track tests
with	partner teams served simply as the final sign-off phase, an
indication that these new tyres	which were developed thanks to
powerful digital resources amply	expectations.