Following a World Motor Sport Council meeting earlier today, the sport’s governing body announced which companies had their applications approved and will be responsible for the production of the chassis, battery and tyres of the Gen4 cars.
It means tyre supplier Bridgestone is set to return to world championship single-seater competition for the first time since its long-running association with Formula 1 came to an end in 2010.
The Japanese manufacturer had put in a recent bid to return to supplying tyres in F1 but lost out to Pirelli in the tender process and which will continue to supply the championship until at least 2027.
Instead, Bridgestone will replace Hankook as the sole tyre supplier to Formula E and produce two different types of tyre for the Gen4 machines, which will be used from the 2026-2027 season over a period of at least four years.
This includes a ‘baseline’ rubber which will be a grooved all-weather tyre that “must guarantee sufficient grip to ensure safe racing in light rain” and a second ‘typhoon’ rubber will be “mandatory in heavy rain”.
It signals the first time in nine seasons of racing that two different types of tyre will be available for Formula E teams and drivers at the same event.
Source: Autosport