8 Minutes
Discovering the World’s Best Automotive Career: The Story of Jerome Haslin
Imagine having a career that combines driving the world’s greatest sports cars, pushing performance boundaries on legendary racetracks, and directly influencing the future of tire technology. For many automotive enthusiasts, this seems like a fantasy. But for Michelin’s chief test driver, Jerome Haslin, it’s just another extraordinary day at the office. In an industry where passion and innovation intersect, Jerome’s journey offers inspiration for anyone who dreams of living life behind the wheel.
Chasing Passion and Performance: How Jerome Haslin Found His Calling
So many professionals spend their days counting hours until the weekend, stuck in comfortable routines or fearing the unfamiliar. Yet, the automotive world thrives on people driven by curiosity and the pursuit of perfection. My childhood dreams were shaped by a love for cars and writing—and, like thousands of fans worldwide, I once longed to be an automotive journalist. Years later, one of my absolute highlights was test-driving the all-new Michelin Pilot Sport S5 N0 tires fitted on a Porsche 911 GT3 RS—an adrenaline-fueled experience that’s about so much more than the car or the tires. It’s defined by the people—the designers, engineers, test drivers, and motorsport legends you meet along the way.
Behind the Scenes with Michelin’s Development Elites
At the heart of this test event was the chance to meet two giants of performance: Jorg Bergmeister, Porsche’s esteemed Test Development Driver, and Jerome Haslin, the mastermind behind Michelin’s most advanced high-performance tire programs. If you’re an automotive purist, Jerome’s role easily tops the list of the world’s best car jobs. From watching him school Richard Hammond on drifting at the Michelin Ladoux proving grounds to having him as my coach in the GT3 RS, the experience was nothing short of surreal.
There’s a thrilling pressure when you know your lap times are being scrutinized by a man whose driving prowess is on another level. But Jerome’s calm mentorship made it an unforgettable journey. His insights and encouragement were invaluable, fueling my desire to learn more about the man who’s dedicated three decades to shaping Michelin’s legacy in performance motoring.
Jerome Haslin: A Career Fueled by Racing Passion
How often do you meet someone who’s invested over 30 years in one organization, still bursting with energy for their craft? Jerome’s path to Michelin legend didn’t start with supercars or hypercars—it began on two wheels, tearing up motocross tracks before switching to automotive adventures. Today, he commands a Porsche 911 GT3 (991.2), but it all started with humble beginnings behind the wheel of a Renault 5 Alpine.
Driving Evolution: From Early Hot Hatches to Motorsport Icons
His journey through automotive history included time with two VW Golf GTIs, but working at Michelin sparked a newfound love for rear-wheel-drive vehicles—leading to a series of iconic BMWs. Yet, it was racing cars that truly ignited his competitive spirit. “I started racing inexpensive classes in France like the Peugeot 205 Cup, where you would drive the same car to the circuit, compete, and then drive home again,” Jerome recalled. This grassroots approach forged a lifelong passion for motorsport, as he moved on to compete in the Clio Cup and the legendary Carrera Cup in a Porsche 993 before taking a sabbatical from racing.
Jerome’s racing adventures reached new heights as opportunities arose to compete in Asia’s Porsche Supercup with the 996, and later, endurance and rally raid events with the BFGoodrich Pro Truck. He even returned to vintage racing last year with a Porsche 993 RS. His racing résumé includes countless laps at icons like Spa-Francorchamps, Nardo, Jerez, and the Nürburgring Nordschleife—tracks revered by enthusiasts and professional drivers alike.
Inside Michelin’s World of High-Performance Testing
Jerome’s tire testing history reads like an automotive hall-of-fame highlight reel. Starting in the mid-1990s, he worked closely with Ferrari, and today, he is entrusted with all Porsche Motorsport and GT programs, covering the Carrera GT, 918 Spyder, GT3, GT4, and GT2 models. His elite status also includes test driving for Bugatti—having steered the Veyron, Chiron, and Tourbillon—and contributing to tire development for Koenigsegg and Pagani. Even a yet-to-be-announced British supercar is next on his project list, confirming his position as a cornerstone in world-class tire technology.
Specialization and Scientific Testing Methodology
When asked about the most critical lesson from his decades at Michelin, Jerome reflected, “Even in subjective tire evaluations, you must be thorough and disciplined. Follow strict testing protocols, always be honest, and remember everyone can make mistakes. If any results seem off, I’ll repeat the test until I’m certain.” Such rigour is how Michelin and Jerome ensure only the best tires make it to track day and road-going enthusiasts around the world.
Pushing the Limits: Supercars, Motorsports & Beyond
Most automotive journalists might pilot a few hundred cars through their careers, but Jerome’s ‘driven list’ features nearly every dream car of the modern age. From legendary Ferraris and Porsches to collaborations with brands at the apex of hypercar performance, his feedback and expertise help shape the future of Michelin’s premium tire lineup.
The Dynamic Test Driver Lifestyle: Tracks, Travels, and Training
Jerome’s professional life is far from ordinary. While remote work has become common for many of us, he expertly divides his time between Michelin’s sprawling Ladoux Test Center in central France and racetracks across Europe. “When it’s Ferrari, I’m at Maranello; for Porsche, it’s Nardo, Ladoux, or the Nürburgring Nordschleife,” Jerome shares. His work schedule includes intense, all-day driving sessions—often starting at 8:30 a.m. and finishing well into the evening—alongside rigorous physical and cognitive training.
Balance is critical when your job revolves around peak performance. On non-testing days, Jerome welcomes the fitness coaches from Clermont’s ASM Rugby Club for strength training, while cognitive training sharpens his focus mid-week. Weekends are reserved for adrenaline-pumping mountain bike rides, nurturing another passion away from the track.
Innovation in Action: Developing Michelin’s Pilot Sport S5 N0 for the Porsche 911 GT3 RS
One of the most exciting projects in recent years has been the collaborative development of the Michelin Pilot Sport S5 N0 tire, specifically engineered for the Porsche 911 GT3 RS. This venture marked a historic first—Porsche Motorsport directly requested Michelin to design a bespoke tire solution tailored to their most discerning customers.
Performance Targets and Real-World Challenges
Porsche’s request was ambitious: they needed a tire that excelled in wet and cold conditions, critical for racetracks like Spa-Francorchamps in rainy March weather, without sacrificing dry performance. Many GT3 RS owners were hesitant to drive their cars on Cup 2R tires in low-grip, inclement conditions. Porsche listens to its passionate clientele—and together with Michelin’s engineering and test pilot teams, they set clear targets, including specific lap time goals for the new tire.
During intensive comparison testing, the results were stunning. In A-B-A methodology, journalists observed significant lap time advantages with the new Pilot Sport S5 N0, providing not just raw speed but confidence and driving pleasure in challenging conditions. The yellow GT3 RS equiped with conventional Cup 2 tires felt unpredictable, while the red 911 GT3 RS wearing the S5 N0s offered remarkable security and composure—an achievement built on 135 years of Michelin innovation.
Vehicle Specifications, Design Philosophy, and Market Positioning
The Porsche 911 GT3 RS stands as the ultimate expression of street-legal motorsport engineering. Powered by a high-revving 4.0-liter flat-six engine producing over 500 horsepower, its lightweight chassis, aerodynamic enhancements, and rear-wheel drive layout demand the very best in tire technology. The Michelin Pilot Sport S5 N0 is specifically tuned for this platform, promising exceptional wet weather grip and dynamic stability, making it the perfect companion for both track days and spirited road driving.
Among performance tire rivals, the Pilot Sport S5 N0 occupies a unique space. Competitors such as the Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R and Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport RS may offer similar dry traction, but Michelin’s latest innovation sets new benchmarks for all-weather capability and sustained high-speed consistency. The result is a tire that seamlessly bridges the gap between world-class track performance and safe, confidence-inspiring road manners—an essential upgrade for discerning Porsche and sports car enthusiasts.
Why Jerome Haslin’s Role Is So Important for Car Lovers Worldwide
Innovation in high-performance tires impacts everything from lap times and track day enjoyment to everyday safety for supercar owners. Test drivers like Jerome Haslin don’t just chase lap records—they validate new concepts, drive improvements, and fine-tune tire behavior to enhance every aspect of the driving experience. His work helps define what’s possible in performance motoring, influencing car manufacturers, racers, and everyday enthusiasts worldwide.
Driving Towards the Future
With over three decades at Michelin, Jerome Haslin remains at the forefront of tire technology, motorsport culture, and the pure, unfiltered joy of driving. His career is proof that following your passion can lead to an extraordinary life—one that inspires generations of automotive fans and drivers craving their next big adventure on four wheels.
Stay tuned for more exclusive stories from inside the world of Michelin, Porsche Motorsport, and the people shaping the cars and tires that ignite our collective drive for speed and innovation.
Source: autoevolution
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