Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya plays host to the seventh round of the FIA World Endurance Championship this weekend, with all 18 LMGT3 cars set to compete on Goodyear Racing Eagles at the inaugural 6 Hours of Barcelona.
The Catalan circuit challenges both drivers and tires, with its high wear and degradation expected to play an important role in race strategies over the six-hour competition. The track’s asphalt, technical high-speed sweeps and heavy braking zones place particular stress on the left-side tires, meaning tire management will be an important consideration for teams during stints.
Although the venue is a new addition to the FIA WEC calendar, it is no stranger to Goodyear or endurance racing competition. Goodyear has raced at Barcelona in the European Le Mans Series every year since 2020, with the circuit most recently hosting the 4 Hours of Barcelona in April.
LMGT3 teams will race on the Goodyear Racing Eagle Medium compound this weekend, the same specification used at all six previous rounds this season, and at Barcelona by teams in European Le Mans Series competition in 2024 and 2025. Goodyear developed the tire to perform across a wide range of circuits and temperatures, including those with high levels of degradation such as Barcelona.
Teams may favour single-stint strategies with their Goodyear Racing Eagle Mediums this weekend, with the track’s high wear rate likely to push teams towards maximising performance from each set of tires.
« Barcelona is a particularly demanding circuit for tires, with its high-speed corners and a layout that typically places enormous loads on the front-left, » said Stephen Bickley, Goodyear Endurance Program Manager. « The key to success this weekend will be getting the Goodyear Racing Eagles into their operating window quickly. The Eagle Medium has proven it can perform for drivers of varying experience levels and across different types of tracks. »
The unpredictable weather conditions that can accompany an October visit to Barcelona could also add another variable for teams to manage throughout the weekend. Teams will also have access to the Goodyear Racing Eagle Wet tire in case of rain.
« There are a lot of external factors for teams to consider this weekend, particularly with the late addition to the schedule and unpredictable weather, » Bickley added. « The teams that have raced here in other competitions may have useful data to draw upon to support their preparation and race strategies, but everyone will need to be prepared to adapt quickly to the circuit and changing conditions. »
Across the Atlantic, Goodyear Racing Eagles are also in action this weekend in the NASCAR races at Phoenix Raceway, and in the NHRA FallNationals at Texas Motorplex.
Fast Facts
FIA World Endurance Championship
Race: 6 Hours of Barcelona
Track: Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya (4.66 km: 6 left turns, 8 right turns)
Location: Barcelona, Spain
Date/Time: Sunday, October 18, 12 p.m. CEST / 6 a.m. ET
TV/Radio: FIAWEC+ (global), Eurosport (pan-Europe), HBO MAX (USA)
LMGT3
Tire: Goodyear Racing Eagle
Tire Specification: Eagle Medium
Previous usage: Imola, Spa, Le Mans, São Paulo, COTA, Fuji (2026); Qatar, Imola, Spa, Le Mans, Fuji (2025); all FIA WEC rounds (2024)
Tire Measurements: (width mm / diameter mm / rim size in): 300/680/R18 front, 310/710/R18 rear
Total Dry Weather Tires: 44 (24 qualifying and race / 4 hyperpole / 16 free practice)
Total Wet Weather Tires: No limit