Hankook building success in DTM

Hankook has continued to increase its reputation as a motorsport tyre supplier in DTM this year. Looking back on the season following the final action at the Hockenheimring, Manfred Sandbichler, Hankook Motorsports director Europe, explained that the increased emphasis on tyres has been a pleasing element of 2013: “With the new option tyres, our tyre concept really hit the nail on the head this year. The basic slicks, option tyres and rain tyres used today in Hockenheim proved their performance and consistency at all times providing the drivers with the confidence they needed. We look forward to the next DTM season as the exclusive tyre partner.”

Champion Mike Rockenfeller said the option tyres had been key to his success: “For me the option tyres were one of the key factors for my winning the championship. They suited my car and me very well and I was able to drive great races and collect those important points. We drivers want grip and the option tyre delivers the goods.”

Former F1 driver Timo Glock won his first DTM race in Hockenheim, and a spectacular drive by second-placed Robert Merhi, starting from 21^st with a ten-second drive-through penalty for a jump start to lead at one stage, illustrated the qualities of the brand’s Ventus Race rain tyres. And champion Rockenfeller failed to get any points for the first time in the season, though his Audi Sport Team Phoenix won the team competition.

Hankook’s DTM race engineer Christophe Stucki, said: “As in the qualifying, the right tyre pressures were a decisive factor in today’s race. The tread of the rain tyres chosen by almost all drivers in today’s weather conditions showed virtually no wear even as the track dried off and safeguarded permanently high and consistent grip. The Ventus Race Plus option slick, which in certain cases can also be used in damp conditions, was not the first choice today even though many sections were dry. With the right tyre pressure our rain tyres worked perfectly here.”