Renault Sport Technologies extends Michelin WSR partnership

The tyre supply partnership between Michelin and Renault Sport Technologies for the World Series by Renault (WSR) championship has been extended until 2015. The tyre maker says Renault Sport Technologies chose to prolong its association with Michelin on the basis of its racing tyres’ performance and its commitment to develop specific tyres for use by WSR competitors. Michelin adds that the extension of the partnership between it and Renault Sport Technologies stands out as an opportunity to consolidate the commercial relationship between the two entities, and also makes a significant contribution to the development of Michelin’s new ranges of motorsport tyres.

“Not only we are pleased to have come to an arrangement which involves the supply of between 20,000 and 25,000 tyres per year, but we are also delighted with the terms of the technical side of the agreement,” says Philippe Mussati, manager of Michelin’s Customer Competition Department. “Our partnership with Renault Sport Technologies makes a big contribution to the development of our racing tyre ranges, since this series covers both touring cars and single-seaters. The two categories demand tyres that are capable of withstanding very different constraints, and that is an extremely interesting challenge for us.”

At each WSR meeting, Michelin provides participants with service via a bespoke technical team. A Michelin technician is also on hand to work closely with Renault Sport Technologies’ technical staff, advise competitors and ensure the feedback of information to the tyre maker’s own research and development teams. Michelin says detailed analysis of tyre performance promises to play a significant role in 2012, as Renault Sport Technologies will be racing a new version of the Formula Renault 3.5, for which Michelin has developed new, specific tyres that match the demands of the newcomer’s higher performance chassis, more powerful engine and different aerodynamics package. The latest Formula Renault 3.5 races on Michelin S312 FR2012 slicks (front: 26/64-13 / rear: 32/66-13). In wet weather, competitors will compete on P312 FR2012 tyres.

The WSR is said to attract around 75,000 spectators per meeting on average, with some events drawing in excess of 100,000. Michelin notes that the WSR’s international media coverage also provides it with valuable visibility.