Bridgestone beginsa new chapter in its motorsport history. From the 2026/27 season, the company will be the sole tire supplier for the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship. The new partnership coincides with the debut of GEN4 – the fastest and most powerful car ever used in the electric championship.
To meet the significantly higher demands of the new generation of cars, Bridgestone developed the special racing tire POTENZA GEN4, as well as a separate version for heavy rain – POTENZA GEN4 for TYPHOON TYRE.
A New Era for Bridgestone in Formula E
From the 2026/27 season, Bridgestone will supply tires for all cars in Formula E.
For the company, participation in the electric championship represents not only a return to the highest international motorsport level, but also an opportunity to develop new technologies.
Bridgestone describes motorsports as a kind of 'mobile laboratory'. It is precisely in the extreme conditions of the races that the company tests technologies, materials, and manufacturing solutions that can later find application in everyday car tires.
In this sense, Formula E is particularly suitable as a platform. The championship combines high performance with electric propulsion, development of new technologies, and a strong focus on sustainability.
GEN4 Sets New Requirements for Tires
The main technological change in the 2026/27 season will be the introduction of the car GEN4.
The new car offers characteristics that pose a serious challenge to tires:
- acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 1.8 seconds;
- maximum speed of 335 km/h;
- maximum power of 600 kW or approximately 815 hp;
- constant active four-wheel drive;
- high torque.
This makes GEN4 the fastest and most powerful car in the history of Formula E.
The tires must not only provide high grip, but also maintain stable performance under different temperatures, track surfaces, and atmospheric conditions.
For this purpose, Bridgestone created POTENZA GEN4.
What Does POTENZA GEN4 Represent?
POTENZA GEN4 was developed specifically for the new generation of cars in Formula E.
The main focus is on high grip, which allows the drivers to use the maximum power and dynamic characteristics of GEN4.
In addition, the tire must work reliably on different circuits around the world. Formula E takes place on traditional circuits as well as temporary street circuits in major cities. Therefore, the conditions can vary significantly between individual races.
Bridgestone also emphasizes durability. POTENZA GEN4 is designed to maintain a high level of performance from the beginning to the end of the race.
Special Tire for Extreme Wet Conditions
One of the most interesting news items is POTENZA GEN4 for TYPHOON TYRE.
This is a special specification for races on very wet surfaces and heavy rain.
The tire was developed to provide stable handling and high grip even when there is a large amount of water on the track.
This way, Bridgestone will have two main solutions for GEN4:
- POTENZA GEN4 for standard racing conditions;
- POTENZA GEN4 for TYPHOON TYRE for extremely wet track.
The combination allows Formula E to hold races under a wider range of meteorological conditions.
65% Recycled and Renewable Materials
However, performance is not the only focus.
With the tires, GEN4 Bridgestone achieves a 65% share of recycled and renewable materials in each tire.
Among the raw materials used are reclaimed technical carbon, linked to the processing of end-of-life tires, as well as silicon dioxide obtained from rice husks.
The natural rubber also comes from supply chains that go through inspection processes and meet the requirements of GPSNR.
In addition, 100% renewable energy is used in the production of the tires for both the required electricity and thermal energy.
Bridgestone is also working to reduce emissions from logistics, including through collaboration with DHL and the use of GoGreen Plus.
Formula E As A Laboratory For The Future
Formula E occupies a unique place in world motorsport.
The championship started in 2014 and uses entirely electric racing cars. Races are held on traditional circuits as well as on the streets of cities such as Monaco, São Paulo and Tokyo.
According to the information provided, Formula E's global audience already exceeds 400 million people.
For car manufacturers, the championship is a valuable test platform. The extreme loads allow for rapid development of technologies that can gradually find application in production electric cars.
Now Bridgestone will use the same environment to develop new tires, materials and manufacturing solutions.
World Premiere In Rome
Bridgestone presented its participation in Formula E at a special event in Rome on 30 September 2026.
Representatives of FIA, Formula E, racing teams, drivers, international media and influencers were present at the premiere.
For the first time, the tires for GEN4 with the new motorsport logo of Bridgestone and new design elements were publicly displayed.
Later, guests visited the company's European technical center, where the production process and the work of engineers and test drivers on the development of the new tires were presented.
Bridgestone To Be Main Sponsor Of Four Racing Weekends
Bridgestone's participation will not be limited to supplying tires.
The company will also be the main sponsor of four racing events during the 2026/27 season:
- Mexico City – 16 January 2027;
- Berlin – 8 and 9 May 2027;
- Shanghai – 10 and 11 July 2027;
- Tokyo – 24 and 25 July 2027.
Tokyo will also host the final two rounds of the season.
According to the preliminary plan, the season is expected to start in December 2026 and include a total of 21 races until July 2027.
What Does The Partnership Mean For Bridgestone?
The return of Bridgestone to a world championship of FIA places the company at the center of one of the fastest developing areas in motorsports.
On one hand, the new GEN4 requires an exceptionally high level of grip, reliability and durability. On the other hand, Formula E places a strong emphasis on electrification and sustainable development.
It is precisely the combination of these two directions that makes the POTENZA GEN4 project particularly interesting.
Bridgestone will use the track as an environment for developing technologies, while at the same time seeking a balance between maximum performance, more sustainable materials and reducing carbon emissions.
A New Beginning For Bridgestone In World Motorsport
The 2026/27 season will be important for both Formula E and Bridgestone.
GEN4 introduces the most powerful car in the history of the championship, while POTENZA GEN4 must ensure the grip and reliability needed to use its potential.
At the same time, the high share of recycled and renewable materials shows how the development of motorsport technologies is increasingly linked to sustainability.
Thus, Formula E becomes not just a new racing stage for Bridgestone, but a real laboratory for the next generation of tire and mobility technologies.
