This weekend the globe-trotting series kicks off track action with the official prologue at the Lusail International Circuit, followed by the Qatar 1812 km next weekend. Building on a highly successful debut LMGT3 season in 2024, Goodyear will once again provide tires for every car in the class, reinforcing its commitment to the pinnacle of endurance racing, including the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans. There are some changes to the Goodyear racing tire range for the upcoming season.
This season will mark the debut of Goodyear’s newest slick compound: the ‘Eagle Hard’ specification tire. Designed for improved longevity, this new slick, distinguished by its red sidewall markings, will debut at the newly refurbished Sao Paulo in July before returning at Circuit of The Americas and Bahrain; three tracks known for high temperatures or abrasive surfaces.
For all other rounds, teams will run Goodyear’s proven ‘Eagle Medium’ compound from 2024, alongside an Eagle wet-weather tire designed for maximum performance in all conditions.
Mike McGregor, Head of Sales Endurance Racing EMEA, explains how the new compound will impact racing: “Endurance racing is all about balance, and that’s exactly what our 2025 tire range provides. With LMGT3 featuring front, mid, and rear-engine cars, our goal is to provide a consistent platform that ensures competitive racing across all manufacturers.
“Last season, our proven Eagle Medium specification tire was able to meet the demands of peak driver performance, maintaining competitive pace over multiple driver stints. At Le Mans, some drivers even completed up to five consecutive stints on a single set of Goodyear tires. The introduction of the Hard compound builds on this performance, with it able to handle high-degradation circuits and maintain even more pace over multiple stints.”
New teams, same close racing
After this weekend’s prologue, the 2025 WEC season properly gets underway next Friday with the Qatar 1812 km. This year LMGT3 brings an exciting grid including nine of the most recognisable manufacturers in GT racing, each competing with two cars.
Among the newcomers making their LMGT3 debuts in Qatar are rising Brazilian star Eduardo Barrichello – son of multiple grand prix winner Rubens Barrichello – and Aston Martin Racing factory driver Valentin Hasse Clot. Both will compete for new entrant Racing Spirit of Léman in an Aston Martin Vantage AMR LMGT3.
Across the season, Goodyear will support nine confirmed LMGT3 manufacturers: Aston Martin, BMW, Corvette, Ferrari, Ford, Lexus, McLaren, Porsche, and newcomer Mercedes-AMG. The German marque partners with 2024 LMGT3 race winner Iron Lynx, fielding two cars in the category.
The Iron Dames also return, continuing to break barriers and inspire future female participation in motorsport. This season, Célia Martin, Rahel Frey, and Michelle Gatting will field the #85 Porsche 911 GT3 R LMGT3 after switching to Porsche machinery with Manthey Racing.
Goodyear’s commitment to endurance racing also extends to the European Le Mans Series (ELMS), where two of the three categories continue to race exclusively on Goodyear tires. With another six-round season ahead, including a return to the world-class Silverstone Circuit, fans can expect another season of fiercely competitive racing.
Fans take the wheel in the Goodyear Wingfoot Award
This season also brings a fresh twist to the Goodyear Wingfoot Award, as fans will now play a crucial role in choosing the award winner at the end of each race.
Votes from both trackside attendees and viewers at home will decide the winner at each round. This new ‘driver of the weekend’ format puts fans at the heart of the action, celebrating the very performances that makes endurance racing at the highest level so thrilling.
“Since its introduction in 2023, the Goodyear Wingfoot Award has always celebrated the very best driver performances in endurance racing,” adds McGregor. “Now, we’re giving fans the chance to have their say, putting them at the heart of the action.”
The forthcoming eight-round campaign gets underway with the Qatar 1812 km on 28 February, visiting four different continents prior to concluding in Bahrain on 8 November.