South America is calling: Hankook looks forward to the São Paulo E-Prix in Brazil

- Hankook is heading to São Paulo where hot temperatures and different track surfaces await the Hankook iON Race
- Even though the track is not a permanent racetrack and consists of different asphalt surfaces, the Hankook iON Race is still able to provide the drivers with maximum support with reliability and a high level of grip
- Formula E has set a new acceleration record for the current crop of FIA single-seater cars with GENBETA race car from Formula E, fitted with the Hankook iON Race

Seoul, Korea, March 12, 2024 – After a break of almost two months, Hankook and Formula E head to South America this weekend for the third race weekend of the year. The venue for race four of the season on the 16th of March is the metropolis of São Paulo in the southeast of Brazil. The largest city in the country, with a population of 12 million, hosted its first Formula E race last year. The track runs through the Anhembi Sambadrome, where thousands of people gather each year to celebrate carnival. Hot temperatures and different track surfaces await the official tire of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, the Hankook iON Race, at the street circuit.

Manfred Sandbichler, Hankook Director Motorsport: “Like last year, the forecast is for temperatures around 30 degrees Celsius. Furthermore, the track, which is not a permanent racetrack, consists of different asphalt surfaces. Our premium product, the Hankook iON Race, has already proven on multiple occasions that, despite these factors, it is still able to provide the drivers with maximum support at tracks like this, thanks to the tire’s impressive reliability and a high level of grip. I am really looking forward to our second Formula E outing in Brazil and will enjoy the race action, as well as the extraordinary atmosphere among the fans in the grandstands.”

Brazilian favorites Lucas di Grassi (ABT Cupra Formula E Team) and Sergio Sette Camara (ERT Formula E Team), in particular, will contribute to a particularly exuberant atmosphere among the spectators. New Zealand’s Nick Cassidy from the Jaguar TCS Racing Team travels to Brazil as the championship leader with 57 points to his name. The 29-year-old’s closest rivals are German Pascal Wehrlein (38 points/TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team) and Jean-Éric Vergne (33 points/DS Penske) from France.

Last year, fans were treated to a real spectacle in São Paulo – New Zealander Mitch Evans (Jaguar TCS Racing) took victory after a highly dramatic race with thrilling battles and many changes of position. “The race was really a big challenge for the Hankook tire. The circuit was extremely fast and it was very hot. As such, we knew that we had to find a set-up that supported the tire and that we could not push too hard. Only this way was it possible to remain consistent throughout the full race. We did that very well today. I am very happy,” said the winner, full of praise for the Hankook iON Race.

With a combination of girl power and perfect grip courtesy of Hankook, Formula E has set a new acceleration record for the current crop of FIA single-seater cars. Saudi Arabian driver Reem Al Aboud was at the wheel of the GENBETA race car from Formula E, fitted with the Hankook iON Race, as it accelerated from 0 to 100 km/ in just 2.49 seconds – 0.51 seconds faster than Formula 1.

Jeff Dodds, CEO of Formula E: "The benchmark achieved by Reem is a testament to what we stand for at Formula E: Innovation, equality, and competition. Her success is not just a win for Formula E, but a leap forward for inclusivity in racing.”

The record was set with the GENBETA electric race car from Formula E – a GEN3 car developed by Formula E and the FIA, which generates 400 kW of power and features improvements made by partners Hankook Tire, SABIC, ABB, and Google Cloud.

Formula E is leaving Donington in Great Britain after more than ten years: the fully-electric series is opening a permanent logistics center as part of the modernization of Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia, Spain. A new technological development center will also be built. In the future, the material required for the racing series will be transported from Valencia to E-Prix all over the world. Moving the central hub to Spain makes the racing series more efficient logistically and underlines its approach to sustainability. For example, cargo ships powered by biofuels should preferably be used.

Great view – using a simulator video, Formula E has provided an initial impression of the street circuit in Tokyo from a driver’s perspective. The 2.5-kilometer track runs past large exhibition grounds and the port promenade in the Japanese capital. Formula E’s debut in the land of the rising sun takes place two weeks after the race in Brazil on 30th March. Get in, buckle up, and away you go.

The Diriyah E-Prix in Saudi Arabia added some sparkle to Formula E. Roughly 170 lighting masts transformed the 2.495-kilometer street circuit around the UNESCO World Heritage Site into a sea of light and created a spine-tingling atmosphere for races two and three of this season’s ABB FIA Formula E World Championship. Reigning Formula E champion Jake Dennis (GBR/Andretti Formula E) emerged triumphant on Friday before Nick Cassidy from the Jaguar TCS Racing team celebrated from the top step of the podium on Saturday.

The most exciting and impressive images from Saudi Arabia are available here in the Hankook Highlight Clip.

As well as on YouTube, regular news and information on Hankook’s involvement in Formula E can also be found on X and Instagram.

You can find the current Hankook Press Kit for the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, with a preview of the coming race in São Paulo, here.