Formula E: Hankook predicts faster lap times in second season

Hankook enters its second season supporting Formula E, and the tenth of the all-electric single-seater series, with the season opener at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City on 12-13 January. The grid of 22 drivers will all compete using the Hankook iON Race tyre. Manfred Sandbichler, Hankook director motorsport, promised the tyre supplier was prepared for faster lap times as teams push the iON Race harder in its second season.

Sandbichler said: “Our whole team is looking forward to our second season in Formula E. After the successful first year, we are looking to back up the outstanding performance of the Hankook iON Race. The tests in the run-up to Season 10 have already shown how effectively the teams are able to use the experience they gained last year to further improve the performance of the tyre.

“The teams have had a full season to get used to the new Formula E tyre and to gain experience. Unlike in the first year, the teams have reference values for nearly all the circuits, which they are able to call upon in Season 10. Those findings will pay dividends now. The drivers and their crews know even better how to exploit the full potential of the Hankook iON Race.”

Sandbichler said familiarity with the tyre should help drivers achieve faster lap times: “More experience usually means more speed. I assume that the teams and drivers now understand the tyres better and will push the limit more than previously. I predict that – provided the conditions are similar to last year – the lap times will be faster. That puts the tyre under greater strain. However, we are ready for that.”

Hankook will also add an unexpected dash of colour to the tread area of its Formula E tyres. Tested in Mexico City, Monaco, Rome and London in 2023, the iON Race will contain bright tread grooves in the company’s colours of Orange and iON Blue in all 16 E-Prix.

Jake Hughes of the Neom McLaren Formula E Team in his Spark-Nissan, Nissan e-4ORCE 04 during the 2023 Hankook Rome ePrix (Photo: Bastien Roux / DPPI)

Hankook, Formula E continue to support ‘Girls on Track’ initiative

Hankook has committed to working towards achieving greater female representation in motorsport, supporting the FIA’s ‘Girls on Track’ initiative. Young women aged between 12 and 18 years are given the opportunity at various locations to learn more about the working environment in the world of motorsport. For the first time, the programme will run at all ten venues. More than 1,650 ‘Girls on Track’ are expected in Season 10. The young ladies can look forward to one special highlight: one participant will represent the programme as part of the team at the podium ceremony after each race.