Michelin will give its new Pilot Sport Cup LMP3 tyre its European debut during the 2026 Prototype Winter Series, which begins at Portimāo in January.
The French constructor has quietly developed a new tyre for the second year of the current LMP3 ruleset, which will be utilised across the European Le Mans Series and Michelin Le Mans Cup next season. The new tyre offers greater stability and consistency, as well as improved car balance and durability, compared to its predecessor.
The new tyre’s European debut will come as part of GEDLICH Racing’s four-round Prototype Winter Series, which begins at Portimão in January. The tyre will launch alongside the introduction of third-generation LMP3s to PTWS.
“We are thankful to our partners at the ACO and Michelin for allowing us to offer the most relevant conditions possible for our 2026 Prototype Winter Series competitors,” commented Robin Selbach, Managing Director at GEDLICH Racing.
“Our third season will be an exciting step forward for the series, with the introduction of the V6-powered third-generation LMP3 cars from Ligier, Duqueine, Adess and Ginetta, as well as the Pilot Sport Cup tyre.”
Competitors will also be able to test with the new Pilot Sport Cup next month at the opening events of GEDLICH’s winter Race Test programme. Five days of running, split across Barcelona and Portimāo, are available in December.
The 2026 Prototype Winter Series begins at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve, Portugal, from 15th to 18th January 2026.
Image courtesy of Prototype Winter Series
