Glitz and glamour for the Hankook iON Race – Formula E heads to Monaco

- ABB FIA Formula E heads to Monaco, the second smallest country on earth for its ninth race, on May 6
- 3.337-kilometer track winds its way through 19 corners, and narrow roads in the city-state on the French Mediterranean coasts
- Hankook Tire adds a kick to the design elements on the Hankook iON Race, with colored tread grooves in Hankook Orange and iON Blue

Seoul, Korea, May 3, 2023 - La Rascasse, Casino Square and Grand Hotel Hairpin – the mere mention of these corners is enough to set the pulse of any motorsport fan racing. For the Hankook iON Race – the official Formula E tire – and the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, this is the next highlight of Season 9. On the 6^th of May, the principality of Monaco hosts the ninth Formula E race of this year. After the Vatican, Monaco is the second smallest country on earth. However, it is one of the most densely populated countries in the world. The 3.337-kilometer track winds its way through 19 corners as the drivers negotiate some narrow roads in the city-state on the French Mediterranean coast. The racetrack in Monte Carlo takes roughly seven weeks to set up. “The circuit in Monaco does not have a particularly aggressive asphalt surface. The layout, with its many corners, means the average speed is not so high and the surface of the Hankook iON Race is not put under so much strain,” explains Hankook’s Formula E race engineer Thomas Baltes.

Germany’s Pascal Wehrlein (TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team) travels to the Monaco E-Prix as the championship leader. Lurking just four points behind him in second place is Nick Cassidy (Envision Racing). The New Zealander won the Sunday race in Berlin to significantly reduce the deficit. Frenchman Jean Éric Vergne (DS Penske) lies third with 81 points.
Three weeks after hosting Formula E, the temporary racetrack will be the venue for this year’s Monaco Grand Prix in Formula 1.

The 3.337-kilometer street circuit is one of the longest tracks on the 2023 Formula E calendar. In total, the drivers must negotiate 19 corners – twelve right-handers, and seven left-handers. The narrow layout with few high-speed sections means the average speed is expected to be lower than in the previous races.

The first free practice session will take place on Saturday, May 06, from 7:30 to 8:00 (CEST), with a second free practice session taking place from 09:10 – 09:40 the same day. Qualifying follows from 10:44 to 11:55, and the race will start at 15:04.
Season 9 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship has reached the halfway point. The teams and drivers already have eight races behind them – in six global metropolises with track surfaces that could hardly be more different. Hankook Motorsport Director Manfred Sandbichler takes stock: “The new Formula E tire, the Hankook iON Race, has mastered these challenges with great aplomb so far. When developing the tire, we worked closely with those responsible in the FIA and Formula E. They wanted a tire that works in both dry and wet conditions. Furthermore, it should also meet sustainability demands, meaning it had to be particularly hard-wearing and made from recyclable materials. The teams have just two sets of tires for a single-header, including all the free practice and qualifying sessions, and three sets at their disposal for a double-header. Our mid-season summary: The Hankook iON Race is 100 percent meeting the requirements of Formula E! So far, there has not been a single puncture. And that despite the different track surfaces and external conditions. Whether asphalt or concrete, rough or smooth, in extreme heat like in Cape Town or cooler temperatures and rain like the races in Berlin – our tire has overcome every challenge and reliably provided the drivers with the grip they require. Hankook has arrived in Formula E, and we are very proud!”

Hankook will again use colorful design elements on the Hankook iON Race at the Monaco E-Prix. As at the season-opener, the Hankook Mexico City E-Prix, the tires will be given colored tread grooves in Hankook Orange and iON Blue. The bright accents have no influence on the performance of the Hankook iON Race.

This is why fans love the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship: the 2023 Berlin E-Prix produced more overtaking maneuvers than ever before at a Formula E weekend. In total, the fans were treated to 362 changes of position in 83 laps of racing. In Saturday’s race alone, eight cars led the field, there were 190 overtakes, and the lead changed hands on 23 occasions.

One day after the double-header in Berlin, the official Formula E Rookie Test took place at the same venue. The fastest man was Aston Martin’s young Formula 1 driver Felipe Drugovich. The Brazilian, driving for Maserati MSG, set a lap time of 1:05.509 minutes. “That was my first time on the Hankook iON Race tire. I really enjoyed the test day and was positively surprised by Formula E. It is a very competitive championship. I did not expect the cars to be so much fun. I pushed more with every lap and the tires lasted a very long time. That is good to see,” said the young Formula 1 driver.

Formula E will introduce new fast-charging technology and the associated recharge pit stops next season. This was confirmed by Formula E CEO Jamie Reigle and Chief Championship Officer Alberto Longo at the Berlin E-Prix. “The Attack Charge will not come this year, but next. We are waiting until next season when we will do it properly,” said Reigle. Longo added: “To introduce it for the last three or four races would perhaps not be the right decision, even if we could do it technically.”

The Berlin E-Prix cast its spell over the fans. Two thrilling races, sold-out grandstands and a host of celebrities once again showed why the races in the German capital are among the highlights on the Formula E calendar. You can watch the most colorful, exciting and impressive scenes from Berlin here in the Hankook Highlight Clip.

As well as on YouTube, you can also find regular news and information on Hankook’s involvement in Formula E on Twitter (@hankook_sport) and Instagram (@hankooktire.motorsports).