Bridgestone Americas has announced a significant evolution for the 2026 INDYCAR season, as Firestone Racing will equip the series with Firehawk race tyres featuring the company's global ENLITEN Technology. This integration of sustainability-focused innovations begins immediately with this weekend’s Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, impacting both the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and the INDY NXT by Firestone support series.

This development arrives as the Firestone brand marks its 125th anniversary, a legacy deeply intertwined with motorsport. Firestone’s competitive pedigree was established in the early 1900s and solidified when Ray Harroun secured victory at the inaugural Indianapolis 500 in 1911 using Firestone tyres. Racing continues to serve as a critical proving ground, driving advancements in materials and technology that ultimately benefit tyre development for everyday consumers.

For the 2026 season, the Firestone Race Tire Engineering (RTE) team will produce approximately 37,000 Firehawk ENLITEN race tyres. Over 32,000 of these are destined for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, requiring 60 distinct specifications to handle the unique challenges of ovals, road courses and temporary street circuits across an 18-race calendar. An additional 5,000 tyres, spanning 18 specifications, will support the INDY NXT by Firestone series, providing a developmental platform for rising drivers on a 17-race schedule that closely mirrors the premier series.

The ENLITEN Technology integrated into these race tyres represents a commitment to enhanced sustainability without compromising performance. The Firestone Firehawk primary and alternate compounds now incorporate key components such as renewable soybean oil, which replaces traditional petroleum-based oils. They also utilise recycled steel for the bead wire and recycled carbon black derived from end-of-life tyres, improving resource efficiency and material circularity while meeting the extreme demands of open-wheel racing.

This move builds on several years of sustainability initiatives by Firestone Racing. Previous efforts have included the successful use of guayule-derived natural rubber in sidewalls on street circuits, as well as incorporating materials from hard-to-recycle plastics and palm oil waste residue. The 2026 Firehawk tyres also continue the use of ISCC PLUS-certified monomers from palm oil processing waste. Concurrently, Firestone is advancing end-of-life recycling, with nearly all race tyres from the series being repurposed into products like playground surfaces and flooring.

All Firestone Firehawk race tyres are produced at the Bridgestone Advanced Tyre Production Center in Akron, Ohio, a facility opened in 2022 that represents a new chapter in the brand’s history. The engineering team works in close collaboration with the nearby Bridgestone Americas Technology Center, ensuring that insights gained from the racetrack directly inform and enhance the development of tyres across the company’s entire portfolio.

Lisa Boggs, Director, Bridgestone Americas Motorsports, said, "Firestone Racing serves as a mobile lab to test and prove new technologies under the most extreme conditions. The integration of ENLITEN Technology is the next step in our commitment to no compromises and sustainably focused technology through the use of cutting-edge materials."

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Pirelli has confirmed the tyre compound options for the Miami Grand Prix, with teams receiving the three softest mixtures: C3, C4 and C5. The first United States race of the Formula 1 season takes place next weekend in Florida following a lengthy break caused by the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix. The championship resumes on a street circuit built around the Hard Rock Stadium, featuring a 5.412-kilometre layout over 57 laps.

The Miami International Autodrome presents 19 corners and three long straights on asphalt resurfaced in 2023. The track surface has low roughness and gains grip as the weekend progresses. A notable characteristic observed last year was the circuit’s ability to dry very quickly, demonstrated during the Sprint when drivers switched from intermediates to slicks despite heavy rain before the start.

Fewer uncertainties are expected in race strategy due to historically limited tyre degradation in Miami, allowing drivers to extend stints and complete the Grand Prix with only a single pit stop. Neutralisations remain a factor on Sunday, as precision is crucial on any street circuit. Last year’s victory by Oscar Piastri followed a straightforward approach, with drivers splitting between Medium and Hard compounds before a mid-distance pit window.

Of the four editions held around the Dolphins’ stadium, half have been won by Max Verstappen, while McLaren drivers have shared the last two victories. Lando Norris won in 2024 followed by Piastri in 2025, though neither McLaren driver has ever secured pole position at this event. Verstappen has two poles, with the others taken by Charles Leclerc and Sergio Perez.

The entire Miami weekend operates under the Pirelli banner, as all support categories are supplied by the Italian company. The second round of Formula 2 has been relocated to Florida, joined by the McLaren Trophy North America and the Porsche Carrera Cup North America. The latter series now receives Pirelli’s P Zero DHG compound introduced last season.

The Miami podium cap, designed by Denis Dekovic for Pirelli Design, draws inspiration from a sea predator with grey shades resembling shark skin. The animal is also referenced by visor stickers depicting jaws or body. The special edition cap is already available for purchase online.

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Comerio Ercole recently attended three major international trade fairs, namely the Indian Rubber Expo, Chinaplas and Techtextil. These events allowed the company to present its calendering solutions while reconnecting with longstanding partners and new potential clients across various markets. The strong interest recorded at each fair facilitated valuable discussions and provided clear insights into current industry trends and evolving customer requirements.

A significant achievement during this period was receiving the Industry Pioneer Award at Chinaplas, jointly presented by Adsale Plastics Network and the fair organisers. This recognition was granted specifically for Comerio Ercole’s calendering lines designed for PVC film, honouring the company’s innovation, technical expertise and ongoing technological development.

On 15 April 2026, during National Made in Italy Day in Rome, the Italian Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy officially recognised 1,000 Historical Brands of National Interest. As a proud member of this exclusive registry, Comerio Ercole participated in the institutional event, reaffirming its role in strengthening the global reputation of Made in Italy. The company stands as a testament to how tradition and Italian heritage can seamlessly integrate with the demands of today’s market.

Beyond its industrial and commercial activities, Comerio Ercole has demonstrated a broader commitment to social responsibility and sustainable innovation. It donated 10 mountain bikes to the LIUC University Residence in Castellanza to support student mobility and encourage an eco-friendly lifestyle. Furthermore, the company received a national award at the 13th edition of the Premio Impresa Ambiente in the category ‘Best Process/Technology for Sustainable Development’ for its LOGOS devulcanisation system, which transforms rubber waste and end-of-life tyres into recycled compounds comparable to virgin materials while reducing emissions. This recognition affirms that industrial excellence and environmental responsibility can advance together.

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Tegeta Green Planet recently visited the Georgian-American School in Batumi to mark Earth Day, where a presentation on specific waste management was held for fifth and sixth grade students. The meeting was conducted in an interactive format and included a variety of activities, enabling students to better understand environmental responsibility and the importance of proper waste handling.

Students actively participated in discussions, answered questions and engaged in practical tasks, gaining knowledge they can apply in everyday life about treating the environment responsibly and transforming waste into a resource. At the end of the activity, participants received certificates and symbolic gifts for their engagement, which further boosted their motivation and positive experience.

Established under the corporate social responsibility framework of Tegeta Holding, Tegeta Green Planet aims to raise environmental awareness in society and encourage sustainable behaviour. The organisation’s team actively collaborates with educational institutions by visiting schools and delivering informative presentations, interactive activities and engaging games that help students understand environmental protection through practical examples.

The main goal of the initiative is to raise environmental awareness among the younger generation and develop skills that will help them become more responsible citizens in the future. This activity is part of a broader educational campaign through which Tegeta Green Planet will gradually visit schools across different regions of Georgia.

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The Automotive Tyre Manufacturers’ Association (ATMA) has called on the Government of India to introduce customs duty relief on critical raw materials due to supply chain instability from the West Asia crisis. ATMA acknowledged the government’s temporary duty exemption on synthetic rubber and certain resins until June 2026 as a constructive step.

Despite this, ATMA noted that inputs like tyre cord fabric, bead wire, steel cord, carbon black, processing oils and petrochemical chemicals still attract high import duties during price volatility and supply constraints. Crude-linked inputs account for up to 70 percent of raw material costs, with volatile crude prices and stressed shipping routes raising costs, delaying shipments and increasing freight and insurance premiums.

ATMA also highlighted bead wire shortages caused by domestic industrial gas and LPG issues, requesting a temporary waiver from Quality Control Order requirements for imports. The association sought sulphur supplies for tyre manufacturers and urged refineries to sustain process oils while shifting towards high-value materials like Neodymium Polybutadiene Rubber.

ATMA warned that raw material disruptions could affect farm and logistics tyre supplies. The association reaffirmed support for Make in India and self-reliance, stressing continued government-industry dialogue to protect original equipment manufacturers, transporters, farmers and consumers.

Arun Mammen, Chairman, ATMA, said, "We appreciate the Government’s timely support. However, given continued global uncertainties, extending duty relief to other critical raw materials is essential to maintain production stability and cost competitiveness."

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