Fans to vote for their favourites as famous Goodyear Wingfoot Award comes to the FIA ETRC for 2026
Koblenz, May 29, 2026 - Fans will be able to vote for their favourite driver on all rounds of the Goodyear FIA European Truck Racing Championship following the introduction of the coveted Goodyear Wingfoot Award.
Already presented in several major series, including the FIA World Endurance Championship, European Le Mans Series and the British Touring Car Championship, the Goodyear Wingfoot Award recognises driver performance and achievement. Motor sport legend Valentino Rossi was among the recipients when he competed in the FIA WEC previously, along with other leading names such as stalwart factory sportscar driver Richard Lietz and rising star Eduardo Barrichello.
The Goodyear Wingfoot Award will be presented in the Goodyear FIA ETRC for the first time at the season opener at Misano, Italy, from 30-31 May.
At each of the seven Goodyear FIA ETRC events, a panel of experts from the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), the global governing body for motor sport and the federation for mobility organisations worldwide, and Goodyear will nominate three drivers following Race 3, based on their overall performance during the race weekend, their sporting behaviour and highlights on track. Fans will then be able to vote for their driver of the weekend via Instagram from the shortlist of candidates during Race 4.
The winner will be announced as part of the live broadcast coverage of Race 4 and presented with the Goodyear Wingfoot Award on the final podium.
Based on Goodyear’s iconic winged-foot logo, which is inspired by the Roman god Mercury, the Goodyear Wingfoot Award is designed to further engage fans throughout the season, while highlighting performances and moments that reflect the sporting values of the Goodyear FIA ETRC.
Sixteen drivers will be in contention for the inaugural Goodyear Wingfoot Award during the Misano opener with both Titan and Chrome contenders under equal consideration for the recognition. The full list follows:
Antonio Albacete (Spain), Team T Sport Bernau, MAN (Titan)
Jonathan André (France), MAN (Chrome)*
Steffen Faas (Germany), tankpool24 Racing, Freightliner (Chrome)
Luke Garrett (Great Britain), MAN (Chrome)
Jochen Hahn (Germany), IVECO (Titan)
Lukas Hahn (Germany), IVECO (Chrome)*
Steffi Halm (Germany), IVECO (Titan)
Clemens Hecker (Germany), Scania (Chrome)
Norbert Kiss (Hungary), Révész Racing Kft, MAN (Titan)
Stefan Kursch (Germany), MAN (Chrome)
Sascha Lenz (Germany), MAN (Titan)
John Newell (Great Britain), MAN (Chrome)
René Reinert (Germany), MAN (Titan)
José Eduardo Rodrigues (Portugal), MAN (Titan)
Bradley Smith (Great Britain), MAN (Chrome)
Mark Taylor (Great Britain), MAN (Chrome)
*Race-by-race entry
As the defending champion and winner of all four Goodyear FIA ETRC races at Misano last season, Norbert Kiss could be considered as an early favourite to win the first Goodyear Wingfoot Award presented within the Goodyear FIA ETRC. However, only the performances from Races 1, 2 and 3 this weekend will be considered, making the outcome wide open.
FIA Truck Racing Commission President Ignacio Fernandez said: “The fact that Goodyear has chosen to present its famed Goodyear Wingfoot Award at all rounds of the Goodyear FIA European Truck Racing Championship in 2026 not only generates a real sense of pride, it’s also further recognition of the series as it starts a new era under the full control of the FIA. The Goodyear Wingfoot Award is a very good way to engage fans and create more interest in the championship. We look forward to finding out who the fans choose as the first Goodyear FIA ETRC driver to win the Goodyear Wingfoot Award.”
The exciting Goodyear Wingfoot Award confirmation follows last week’s announcement that all drivers lining up in the 2026 Goodyear FIA ETRC will use tyres incorporating 60 per cent sustainable materials. Goodyear, the title partner and official tyre supplier of the Goodyear FIA ETRC, has developed the new tyre in line with its ongoing commitment to increase tyre sustainability year on year in top‑level truck racing. Goodyear’s association with European truck racing spans more than two decades, while it has served as title partner of the Goodyear FIA ETRC since 2022.
Misano World Circuit in Italy hosts the Goodyear FIA ETRC season opener from 30-31 May.
More information: Richard Rodgers, Goodyear FIA ETRC Media Co-ordinator
Richard.Rodgers@wige.de, +44 7503 871 575, https://www.goodyearfiaetrc.com
About Goodyear FIA ETRC
Combining the excitement of truck racing with entertainment, sustainability and technical innovation, the Goodyear FIA European Truck Racing Championship is heavy metal motor sport at its very best. A truly unique spectacle, it’s the pinnacle of global truck racing. Featuring four races per weekend and live global broadcasting, the 2026 Goodyear FIA ETRC season consists of seven events with visits to Misano (Italy), Slovakia Ring (Slovakia), Nürburgring (Germany), Most (Czech Republic), Zolder (Belgium), Le Mans (France) and Jarama (Spain).
About Goodyear
Goodyear is one of the world's largest tire companies. It employs about 63,000 people and manufactures its products in 49 facilities in 19 countries around the world. Its two Innovation Centers in Akron, Ohio, and Colmar-Berg, Luxembourg, strive to develop state-of-the-art products and services that set the technology and performance standard for the industry. For more information about Goodyear and its products, go to www.goodyear.com/corporate. The Goodyear Commercial division in EMEA delivers premium tires for commercial vehicles, along with mobility solutions that help fleets operate more efficiently, stay competitive, and advance their sustainability goals. Its tire offering is engineered for high mileage, fuel efficiency, and durability across a wide range of applications. Goodyear also supplies tires as original equipment to leading truck, trailer and bus manufacturers in Europe and offers innovative, subscription-based tires as a service (Goodyear Tires-as-a-Service), an integrated solution combining premium products, predictive analytics designed to help reduce the total cost of ownership for fleets. For more information, go to www.goodyear.eu/en-gb/truck.
