Hankook to Showcase ‘iON’ Technology at Formula E Season 11 Pre-Season Testing

- Formula E Season 11 pre-season testing to be conducted from November 4 to 7 in Valencia, Spain
- Optimized for GEN3 Evo machine, the enhanced iON Race tire demonstrates technological excellence
- 16 rounds of intense competition across 10 cities, opening with São Paulo
- Title sponsor of five races across three cities – Mexico City, Shanghai, and Berlin

Seoul, Korea, October 29, 2024 — Global leading tire company Hankook Tire & Technology (Hankook Tire) is gearing up for Season 11 pre-season testing of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship (hereafter Formula E) which will be held in Valencia, Spain, from November 4 to 7 (local time). As the exclusive supplier and official partner of Formula E, Hankook will showcase its latest technological innovations during the four-day testing period.

The pre-season test serves as a final checkpoint to gauge the technical capabilities and driver coordination before Season 11 kicks off. Twenty-two drivers from 11 participating teams will familiarize themselves with vehicle and tire performance at Circuit Ricardo Tormo, testing the new GEN3 Evo race cars fitted with Hankook’s latest EV racing tire, the GEN3 Evo iON Race.

Crucially, November 7 will feature Formula E’s first-ever female-only test session. As part of the FIA’s ongoing efforts to promote gender diversity in motorsport through its expanding FIA Girls on Track program, up to 22 female drivers will participate, with one to two representatives from each team testing the new GEN3 Evo. This session marks a significant milestone in Formula E history.

The newly introduced GEN3 Evo, developed in collaboration with Formula E and FIA experts, demonstrates remarkable improvements in performance. It achieves 0-100 km/h acceleration in just 1.86 seconds – 30% quicker than the current Formula 1 car and 36% faster than its predecessor, the GEN3. The vehicle features a more streamlined, aerodynamically optimized design compared to its previous iteration, and all powertrains utilizing all-wheel drive (AWD) have been officially approved for racing, heralding more exhilarating races.

Hankook’s GEN3 Evo iON Race tire, developed in close collaboration with the FIA specifically for the GEN3 Evo, delivers enhanced performance across all weather conditions. The tire's grip has been improved by 5-10% compared to previous models. It provides superior traction, stability, and heat resistance to support the vehicle’s maximum speed of 322 km/h, ensuring optimal racing performance.

Formula E Season 11 will consist of a 16-round journey across 10 major cities worldwide, starting with the São Paulo opener this December and concluding with the London race next July. During the season, Hankook will serve as the title sponsor for five races, including the Mexico City E-Prix (Round 2), the Shanghai E-Prix (Rounds 10 & 11), and the Berlin E-Prix (Rounds 13 & 14), with each event branded under the Hankook name.

The championship will feature intense competition among six global EV manufacturers, including Porsche, Jaguar, Nissan, Stellantis, Mahindra, and Lola Cars, as they vie for the season championship title.

Since Season 9, Hankook has maintained a perfect safety record as Formula E’s exclusive tire supplier, delivering consistent performance and balanced capabilities with the iON tire. The GEN3 Evo iON Race meets Formula E’s rigorous requirements for superior motorsport performance, eco-friendly materials, and low-rolling resistance. Building on technical expertise and data accumulated over multiple seasons, Hankook plans to again demonstrate outstanding performance in this competition.