Le Mans’ Dunlop Bridge Rebranded In ACO Circuit Refresh
December 19, 2025The Automobile Club de l’Ouest, the organising club of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, has announced that the Dunlop Bridge, an iconic structure that crosses the circuit at the top of the hill after the start/finish straight, will be rebranded under the Goodyear name, starting in 2026. A new structure will be built on the site of the current Dunlop Bridge.
The move is part of a package of updates which include an upgrade to the Goodyear Racing Club and the renovation of the Goodyear Grandstands.
Goodyear, founded in 1898, first supplied racing tyres in 1901 to Henry Ford. Since 1954, the Akron, Ohio-based company has been a part of US stock car racing and has been the exclusive tyre supplier for all three of NASCAR’s national series since 1997. For a 33-year period beginning in 1965, Goodyear-shod cars recorded 368 Grand Prix victories and from 1973 to 1977 every Grand Prix was won on Goodyear rubber.
The company has won at Le Mans 14 times, beginning in 1965 and last competed in the main race on the Circuit de la Sarthe in 2018 during the 2018/19 FIA WEC season when LMP2 cars had the choice of Michelin or Dunlop rubber.
The Dunlop brand was sold to Sumitomo Rubber Industries in January 2025, over 100 years since the first Dunlop-branded bridge built at Le Mans.
To honour the legacy of the Dunlop Bridge, the ACO and Goodyear have jointly announced that they will donate a ‘heritage collection’ of Dunlop Bridge memorabilia to the circuit museum.
“Le Mans is more than a race – it’s a global celebration of motorsport heritage and innovation,” said ACO Head of Clients and Evets Stéphane Andriolo. “With these new developments, we are affirming our commitment to delivering an unforgettable experience for fans and participants alike. The partnership with Goodyear allows us to honour the past while embracing the future of endurance racing.”
Goodyear Global Racing VP Xavier Fraipont explained that the changes are forward-looking.
“le Mans is the highlight of the endurance racing calendar and a cornerstone of Goodyear’s racing legacy,” he said. “As we celebrate 45 years of the Eagle brand and 60 years since our first Le Mans wins, we’re proud to deepen our partnership with the ACO. The enhanced brand presence at the circuit reflects our future-focused strategy and our passion for innovation in racing.”
The 2026 24 Hours of Le Mans gets underway on Saturday June the 13th.
