Formula E: Bridgestone unveils Gen4 tyres with Typhoon rain tyre & 65% sustainable materials

Bridgestone has unveiled the tyres that will launch Formula E's Gen4 era in Season 13. The range includes the Potenza Gen4 all-weather tyre and a dedicated Typhoon rain tyre for heavy wet conditions. According to Bridgestone, 65 per cent of the materials used are recycled or renewable.

The switch to Gen4 also brings Hankook's four-season spell as Formula E's tyre supplier to an end. Bridgestone officially presented its new tyres at an event in Rome on Wednesday. e-Formula.news was also on site for the world premiere.

It has been known for some time that Formula E will have a dedicated heavy-rain specification in addition to its all-weather tyre. Bridgestone has now revealed its full official name for the first time: Potenza Gen4 for Typhoon Tyre. "Typhoon Tyre" is the FIA's designation for the heavy-rain specification rather than simply a Bridgestone marketing name.

With up to 600 kW of power and permanent all-wheel drive, the loads placed on the tyres increase significantly with the Gen4 car. Bridgestone therefore promises high grip from the standard Potenza Gen4 across a broad operating window, covering different road surfaces as well as varying weather and temperature conditions. At the same time, performance is intended to remain as consistent as possible over a race distance.

New polymer compound designed to combine grip & durability

For the all-weather tyre, Bridgestone says it developed a particularly durable polymer which, at molecular level, is tailored to work with a specially developed additive designed to increase grip. A specific form of industrial carbon black is also used. The combination is intended to deliver stable grip in both dry and wet conditions.

Bridgestone also promises rapid grip build-up and minimal performance drop-off, even under particularly high loads. That is likely to play an important role given the much greater demands placed on the tyres by the Gen4 cars.

For the heavy-rain tyre, Bridgestone uses silica derived from rice husks alongside another particularly durable polymer. According to the manufacturer, the tread pattern has been designed to efficiently disperse large volumes of water while still maintaining sufficient contact area with the road.

The Typhoon tyre is intended to provide sufficient traction and stable handling even in heavy rain. Whether it is used in a race first depends on a wet declaration from Race Control and then on each team's tyre choice. Once the track has been declared wet, teams can choose between the all-weather and rain tyres; mixed tyre specifications are not permitted.

Bridgestone: 65% of materials recycled or renewable

Bridgestone is also highlighting the material composition of its new Gen4 tyres, stating that 65 per cent of the materials used in each tyre are classified as recycled or renewable. These include carbon black derived from pyrolysis oil from end-of-life tyres as well as silica made from rice husks. The natural rubber used is sourced from supply chains that Bridgestone says have undergone due diligence.

However, the 65 per cent figure also includes materials accounted for under the ISCC Plus mass-balance system. Under this approach, certified and non-certified raw materials can be physically mixed within the supply chain. The key point is that the quantities used are tracked and allocated separately.

For heat and electricity used in tyre production, Bridgestone says it relies entirely on renewable energy. The company also aims to reduce CO2 emissions in logistics. For transporting the tyres, Bridgestone works with DHL and its GoGreen Plus service.

From computer to Gen4 car: how Bridgestone developed the tyres

Before the tyres reached the track, Bridgestone relied heavily on virtual development. According to the company, simulations covered different tyre structures, tread patterns and compounds as well as contact-patch shape, pressure distribution, temperature behaviour, grip and durability.

Bridgestone worked closely with the FIA and treated the car and tyre as one combined system in its simulations. Following internal prototype testing, performance was ultimately also validated using a real Gen4 car.

Bridgestone says experience from other motorsport programmes, including Formula 1, IndyCar and Super GT, also fed into the development process. For the Japanese manufacturer, the Formula E programme also marks a return to FIA single-seater motorsport.

Bridgestone to become title sponsor of 4 Formula E events

In addition to its role as tyre supplier, Bridgestone is also expanding its commercial involvement in Formula E. In Season 13, the company will serve as title sponsor of the Mexico City event as well as the double-headers in Berlin, Shanghai and Tokyo.

The new Bridgestone tyres will have to prove themselves under race conditions for the first time from December. That is when it will become clearer how well the new tyre concept copes with the significantly higher demands of the Gen4 cars.