IMSA News: Michelin to supply tires to IMSA through 2035
The iconic Michelin Man will remain a familiar presence at IMSA events well into the next decade, as officials from the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) and Michelin today announced a long-term extension of their successful partnership. The agreement ensures Michelin is planned to continue as the “Official Tire of IMSA” through the 2035 season.
“Michelin has been an exceptional partner in helping IMSA deliver the best endurance sports car racing in the world,” said IMSA President John Doonan. “Their commitment to innovation, performance, and sustainability aligns perfectly with our vision for the future. This long-term extension reinforces our shared dedication to excellence both on and off the track and provides a firm foundation for continued stability and growth for our sport.”
Since 2019, Michelin has served as the exclusive tire supplier for IMSA’s top-tier series. Under the renewed agreement, Michelin will continue to supply tires for all entries in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge, and IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge. Michelin also remains the entitlement sponsor of the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge and the IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup, which includes five premier endurance races in 2026:
- Rolex 24 At Daytona
- Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring
- Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen
- Motul SportsCar Endurance Grand Prix at Road America
- Motul Petit Le Mans at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta
Additionally, Michelin has similarly extended its entitlement sponsorship of Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, further solidifying its long-term commitment to IMSA and the sport.
“Since the beginning of our expanded partnership in 2019, Michelin has been more than just a tire supplier — they’ve been a true strategic partner in helping IMSA elevate the level of competition, innovation, and fan engagement across our platforms,” said IMSA CEO Ed Bennett. “This extension is a testament to the strength and shared vision of our relationship. Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, as both a world-class racing facility and a symbol of our collaboration, continues to play a central role. It’s where our partnership comes to life in a tangible way, and we’re proud to continue building on that foundation together.”
“Michelin has been innovating for more than 130 years, and competition has always been at the heart of that journey,” added Alexis Garcin, executive vice president of Michelin. “From the first removable bicycle tire to the Pilot Sport Endurance range, many of our breakthroughs have consistently come from the racetrack. IMSA gives us a competitive ecosystem to validate new technologies under real pressure, and that’s exactly where Michelin thrives.”
A new highlight of the partnership is the introduction of the IMSA Michelin Sustainability in Racing Award, debuting at the 2026 Rolex 24 At Daytona. Building on IMSA’s longstanding collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and decades of shared sustainability initiatives with Michelin, the award will showcase the innovative Hybrid Electrified GTP platform and Michelin’s sustainable tire technology. It reflects the shared commitment of IMSA and Michelin to advancing sustainability and innovation in motorsports.
The award will honor the GTP car that demonstrates the highest sustainability performance at each race, culminating in a season-long champion. Using an AWS-developed architecture, real-time data will be captured and analyzed across three key metrics: tire usage, energy efficiency (including 80 percent renewable biofuel and regenerative electric power), and race finish position. Results will be integrated into race broadcasts and digital platforms, with winners recognized during podium celebrations and across IMSA’s social channels. The season champion will be celebrated at the IMSA WeatherTech Night of Champions, with Michelin leadership presenting the award on stage.
“Michelin is proud to extend our partnership with IMSA, building on years of collaboration that have helped advance innovation both on and off the track,” said Nora Vass, Director of Marketing for Michelin Motorsports. “Together, we’re committed to delivering exceptional performance and shaping the future of sports car racing for teams, drivers and fans alike.”
This marks the second extension of the IMSA-Michelin partnership since its inception in 2019. A previous renewal in 2023 extended the relationship through the 2028 season. With this latest agreement, the partnership now stretches well into the mid-2030s.
Beyond its technical contributions, Michelin remains one of IMSA’s most active marketing partners. Notably, Michelin continues to support the popular “Win The Weekend Presented by Michelin” docuseries, which has aired on IMSA’s official YouTube channel since 2023, currently with over 2.5 million viewers per episode, and will continue into 2026.