The American circuit is very popular among manufacturers thanks to the region's weather at a time of year when other tracks are under snow, and also for its mix of abrasive tarmac and smooth concrete which replicates the characteristics of many other circuits, so if a car can handle 12 hours at Sebring, it can do so anywhere. These benefits did not go unnoticed by Dunlop for the testing program for its 2017 season.

After virtual tyre modelling and testing the tyres on a laboratory machine, Dunlop then organized track testing with new generation LM P2 prototypes, with three of the four selected constructors represented (Dallara, Ligier and Oreca).

More than 1,000 tyres were brought to the circuit little by little, and the new LM P2 cars consistently lapped around 1m 47s. In 2012, the last time World Endurance Championship (WEC) LM P1s competed at the 12 Hours of Sebring, pole time was 1m 45.8s. 

Sébastien Montet, Tire Technology at Dunlop Motorsport: "For developing the new LM P2 tyres, we took learnings from three areas. Firstly, our productive and successful return to LMP1 (the three LM P1 prototypes entered by private teams in the World Endurance Championship were equipped by Dunlop, Ed.) helped us understand the impact of increased downforce and power. Secondly, our work with the modified 2016 car allowed us to simulate 2017 power and downforce, and finally the modelling and simulation process allowed us to make significant development steps even before the new cars were launched."

In the World Endurance Championship (WEC), competitors choose their own tyre manufacturer, like in the European Le Mans Series for the LM P2 class.

Quotation from Dunlop press release.

Photo: Copyright - Clément Marin/Dunlop