Racing
Bridgestone Typhoon tire could make Formula E rain a thrill
Jalopnik reports the tire maker's new wet-weather tire for the Gen4 car is the first in Formula E built for heavy rain.
Jalopnik reports from Rome that Bridgestone is returning to FIA racing after 16 years away. The Japanese tire maker will be the sole supplier for Formula E's 2026/27 World Championship season, and its newest tire is the Typhoon, the series' first wet-weather tire.
Bridgestone was involved with the Gen4 car from the start, according to Jalopnik. The new machine makes up to 815 horsepower, has permanent all-wheel drive, reaches 62 mph in 1.8 seconds and tops out at 208 mph. Formula E development driver James Rossiter told journalists at the launch that his first laps in the car left him feeling a step behind it. "My consciousness was left behind when I left the pit lane," he said.
The regular Potenza Gen4 tire is almost a slick. Since Formula E cars do not change tires during a race, Bridgestone focused on fast warm-up and consistent grip. Rossiter said the tire can run well over 100 laps at maximum attack without degradation, longer than any race needs.
The Typhoon is the headline. Formula E did not race on a wet track until Paris in 2019, more than 50 races into the series. Since then, wet weather has become more common at the places on the calendar. Bridgestone tested the tire on a Spanish track with a built-in sprinkler system, running from fully wet to fully dry to find the point where the wets become the right choice.
Rossiter said the difference is huge. On the Typhoon, he could "drive almost flat out and brake 5 to 8 meters earlier at 200 mph and still make the apex." He believes a Gen4 car on the wet tire would beat a Formula 1 car on wet tires in the rain.
Bridgestone is also leaning into sustainability for the zero-emissions series. Jalopnik reports 65% of the tire is made from recycled or renewable materials, including carbon black from old tires and silica from rice husks. The factory uses 100% renewable energy, ships tires by ocean freight and builds only as many tires as the next race needs.
The Gen4 car and the new tires debut at the Jeddah ePrix in Saudi Arabia on Dec. 18 and 19. The season then moves to Mexico City on Jan. 16, Austin on Feb. 6 and Miami on Feb. 20, followed by 16 more races through Tokyo on July 24 and 25, 2027.
Rain used to be a nuisance for Formula E, something that delayed or canceled races. If the Typhoon works the way Rossiter describes, fans might start hoping for a downpour. That would be a first.