Showdown: New Formula E world champion to be crowned at the Hankook London E-Prix

- Hankook iON Race emphatically demonstrating its quality and reliability at all the rounds so far, once again supports the drivers at the grand finale of the Formula E season in London
- The top four drivers still have the mathematical chance to win, on the unique circuit with indoor and outdoor switches at the Hankook London E-Prix
- FIA initiative Girls on Track will be celebrating its Season 9 finale, and the presenting partner Hankook is to showcase its commitment to social sustainability and gender diversity in motorsport

Seoul, Korea, July 25, 2023 – As the official partner and tire supplier of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, Hankook is also the title sponsor of the grand finale of Season 9 in Great Britain. The new world champion will be crowned at the Hankook London E-Prix (July 29 and 30) in the capital city on the River Thames.

Hankook Communications Director Felix Kinzer said “After the season-opener in Mexico City and the event in Rome, we at Hankook are pleased to be the title sponsor again at the grand finale of the Formula E season in London. Our premium product, the Hankook iON Race, has always emphatically demonstrated its quality and reliability at all the rounds so far, and in a wide range of different conditions – whether the track is wet or dry, hot or cold, rough or smooth, dusty or clean. It will once again support the drivers with the performance they require at the finale. However, its high energy efficiency is just as important. The final double-header of the year will see the 22 Formula E drivers once again put on a thrilling display of top-class, sustainable motorsport – hopefully with a lot of overtaking maneuvers – at the end of which the new world champion will be crowned.”

Formula E is visiting the capital of the United Kingdom for the fifth time. The circuit at the “ExCel” convention center is one of a kind in the fully-electric racing series: parts of the two-kilometer track lead the drivers through an exhibition hall. The result is a very special atmosphere for the spectators. “The switch between indoor and outdoor conditions will pose another major challenge for the drivers and the Hankook iON Race. Different weather conditions, air and track temperatures, and changing surfaces will really put the race tire to the test. Drivers must also adapt to the different lighting conditions,” explains Manfred Sandbichler, Hankook Motorsport Director.

The race for the 2023 world title remains on a knife edge. Four drivers still have a mathematical chance of winning the world championship at the Hankook London E-Prix: leader Jake Dennis (195 points/Avalanche Andretti Formula E), second-placed Nick Cassidy (171 points/Envision Racing), Mitch Evans (151 points/Jaguar TSC Racing) in third, and finally Pascal Wehrlein (146 points/TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team) in fourth place.

The Hankook iON Race will be dressed up smart again for the grand finale. As they did in Mexico, Monaco and Rome, all the drivers will start on bright tread grooves in the Hankook colors of orange for performance and iON Blue for sustainability.

A narrow and unforgiving 2.086-kilometer track, on which the drivers must negotiate a total of 20 corners. Driven clockwise, the circuit features twelve right turns and eight left-handers. The switch between indoors and outdoors, which involves driving over ramps, different track temperatures and big bumps, some of which see the cars leave the ground, make the Hankook London E-Prix unique. The chicanes in the outdoor section provide good overtaking opportunities.

The FIA initiative Girls on Track is also celebrating its Season 9 finale at the Hankook London E-Prix. For the final time in 2023, presenting partner Hankook will showcase its commitment to social sustainability and gender diversity to roughly 100 young women aged between 12 and 18 years. The goal of the program is to encourage gender equality in an innovative, committed, and positive manner in motorsport.

Switzerland’s Nico Müller from the ABT Cupra Formula E Team enjoyed the best result of his season with sixth place in the Saturday race in Rome. The Hankook iON Race again played a big role in his impressive performance in Italy. Müller was able to get the tire up to the ideal working temperature in both races and used the high grip level to climb a remarkable 17 places over the course of the double-header – more than any other driver in the two races. “The most important thing for a driver is reliability. I know how the tire behaves and can then act accordingly in the car,” said the 31-year-old from Thun.

Heat, thrilling battles and beaming winners – the ingredients that made the Hankook Rome E-Prix a real treat. New Zealand’s Mitch Evans won the first race of the double-header. On Sunday, it was Jake Dennis from Great Britain who made it onto the top step of the podium. You can find the brightest, most exciting, and most impressive images from Rome 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).

You can find the latest Hankook Press Kit for the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, looking ahead to the coming race in London here.