Michelin Joins as Official Partner of the 'Virtual Le Mans 24 Hours'

Published 11 Jun.2020 10:43(KST)

Michelin will participate as the official partner of the virtual Le Mans 24 Hours endurance race held from the 13th to the 14th of this month. (Photo by Michelin)

[Asia Economy Reporter Jihee Kim] Michelin will participate as the official partner of the virtual Le Mans 24 Hours endurance race held from the 13th to the 14th of this month.

The "Virtual Le Mans 24 Hours" is the first-ever e-motorsports event of Le Mans 24 Hours, where 50 teams composed of professional racing drivers and e-sports gamers compete on a virtual circuit. The race, postponed until September this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, is hosted by Le Mans eSports and ACO. Michelin participates as the official partner and the sole tire supplier of the virtual Le Mans 24 Hours.

All 50 cars competing in the LMP2 and GTE classes of the virtual Le Mans 24 Hours will be equipped with Michelin tires. Just like in the real race, tires are a crucial factor in all aspects including durability, speed, and safety in the virtual Le Mans 24 Hours. Michelin will replicate the performance and role of tires at the same level as in actual races by considering tire wear and replacement processes, as well as various race scenarios affected by time and weather, through the game simulation platform rFactor2.

Mathieu Bonardel, Michelin Motorsport Director, said, "Tire performance and lifespan are among the key factors that determine the outcome of endurance races, and both elements are reflected in the rFactor2 simulation platform. Providing reliable performance until the very end is the essence that Michelin fundamentally values."

Olivier Bial, Michelin Motorsport Marketing Manager, stated, "Through participation in this virtual race, young people will be able to intuitively recognize not only the important role of tires when owning a car in the future but also issues such as safety, performance, and lifespan."