Hankook Tire and Technology Company | |
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Partner Information | |
Based | ![]() |
Founder | ![]() |
Announced | 1 July 2020 |
Role | Official Tyre Supplier |
Official Website | Hankook |
The Hankook Tire & Technology Company (한국, 韓國 in Korean), better known simply as Hankook, is a South Korean tyre manufacturer, which will serve as the official tyre supplier for the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship from the start of the 2022/23 season.[1] The seventh largest tyre manufacturer in the world, Hankook would supply FE with tyres throughout the entire Generation 3 era, having been a surprise replacement for previous suppliers Michelin.[1]
Hankook were officially announced as FE's tyre supplier and technical partner on 4 October 2022, where the group unveiled their first FE tyre design.[2]
Background[]
Hankook was initially founded by Cho Hong Jai in 1941 as the Chosun Tire Company, as an offshoot of the Japanese based Nihon Tire Company before breaking off to become its own entity after the Second World War.[3] In 1968 the company adopted the name "Hankook", literally meaning Korea, and expanded into supplying international car manufacturers alongside those in Korea.[3] The late 1990s saw Hankook move into other areas of the automotive industry, with off-shoot companies manufacturing batteries, alloy wheels and brake pads.[3]
Brand Boosts: 2000 - Present[]
In the early 2000s Hankook began a major drive into motorsports, securing various deals in Europe, North America and Asia to supply individual teams and later full series.[3] In 2011 Hankook secured a major coup by becoming the sole supplier of the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters, while also making several deals outside of motorsport to increase its brand awareness.[3][4] Those deals included sponsorship of the UEFA Europa League, football teams Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund and AS Monaco FC and, as of 2018, serve as the official tyre of Major League Baseball.[5][6]
Formula E History[]
On 16 December 2019 Formula E and the FIA opened a tender for manufacturers to apply to supply tyres for the Generation 3 ruleset, set to debut in the 2022/23 season.[7] Hankook duly submitted their interest against FE's existing supplier Michelin, and in a surprise to most, subsequently won the tender to supply FE with tyres from 2022/23.[1] Their involvement would include helping to develop the initial design of the Gen 3 car, as well as supplying technical support to teams throughout the Gen 3 cycle.[1]
On 4 October 2022 Hankook were officially named as the series' sole tyre supplier for the Gen 3 cycle, as well as a technical partner, fully replacing Michelin.[2]
Products[]
Hankook will supply a single tyre compound/design for the 2022/23 season, which is to be treaded to allow for use in both wet and dry conditions.[1][7]
Hankook iON[]
Hankook's first FE tyre design was unveiled on 4 October 2022, with the new-for-FE design named the Hankook iON race tyre.[2] The design was developed in tandem with the Generation 3 base car, and would notably feature c. 30% sustainable materials in their design, which had been a significant part of the Korean firm's application to supply FE with tyres when they won the tender.[2]
References[]
Videos and Images:
References:
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Sam Smith, 'HANKOOK GRABS FORMULA E TYRE DEAL FOR GEN3', therace.com, (The Race, 01/07/2020), https://the-race.com/formula-e/hankook-grabs-formula-e-tyre-deal-for-gen3/, (Accessed 01/07/2020)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 'Hankook becomes Tyre Supplier to Formula E', fiaformulae.com, (FIA Formula E, 04/10/2022), https://www.fiaformulae.com/en/news/2022/september/hankook, (Accessed 04/10/2022)
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 'Our History', hankooktire.com, (Hankook Tire & Technology Co. Ltd., 2021), https://www.hankooktire.com/global/about-hankook-tire/company/our-history.html, (Accessed 20/12/2021)
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
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- ↑ 'Real Madrid present the agreement with Hankook Tire', realmadrid.com, (Real Madrid FC, 31/08/2016), https://www.realmadrid.com/en/news/2016/08/real-madrid-present-the-agreement-with-hankook-tire, (Accessed 20/12/2021)
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
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- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Alex Kalinauckas, 'Gen3 car to be quicker and lighter, with fast-charge pitstops', motorsport.com, (Motorsport Network, 16/12/2019), https://www.motorsport.com/formula-e/news/gen3-car-faster-lighter-pitstops/4614026/, (Accessed 18/06/2020)
FIA Formula E Partners |
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Institutional |
Formula E Holdings • Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile • ABB |
Founding |
BMW • DHL • Michelin • Qualcomm • Renault • TAG Heuer |
Other |
Allianz • Antofagasta Minerals • Bosch • Copper Co. • Enel • Heineken • Hugo Boss • Julius Bär • Modis • Saudia |
Spark Technical Partners |
Spark Racing Technologies • Brembo • Dallara • Hankook • Hewland • Lucid Motors • McLaren • Williams |
Former Partners |
1st Round • CNBC • Rimac Automobili • Umicore • voestalpine |