Michelin has teamed with Porsche as technical partner for the German manufacturer¹s 2014 FIA World Endurance Championship programme.

In this capacity, the Clermont-Ferrand-based company has played a part in the development of their new Porsche 919 Hybrid racecar by designing specially-adapted tyres for the LMP1 class prototype.

Some 15 per cent narrower than in 2013, the single size 31/71-18 front/rear tyres deliver an improvement in terms of weight - saving 8kg per set of four - and aerodynamic drag without sacrificing performance or durability.

The 2014 eight-race World Endurance Championship season begins in April at Silverstone and continues throughout Summer with events in Belgium, France, USA, Japan, China and Bahrain, ending next November in Brazil.

Outside the LMP1 programme, Michelin is also partnering Porsche in the GTE Pro class, in which the Stuttgart manufacturer is fielding a brace of Porsche 911 RSRs run by Team Manthey.