MOTORSPORT PRESS KIT 2020 Hankook in Motorsport

„You can push for a very „You have to handle the Hankook tyre long time without the correctly. You need to have patience, in Hankook race tyre order to avoid the slick wearing prematu- deteriorating. The grip rely. At the same time, you cannot be too

level is just as high in DTM/Audi apprehensive, as the tyre is very consis- the night as it is in the tent. You have to master tyre manage- day, and its high level ment, which is an important factor in the of consistency means battle for the championship.“ Winner of the 24H Dubai in 2016 Winner of the 24H Dubai

double stints are no Müller Nico problem. I enjoyed driving on the Hankook tyres.“ Laurens Vanthoor

TOP QUALITY AND This year marks Hankook’s tenth OPTIMAL SERVICE: season together with the DTM. The premium tyre maker is also a partner of the new DTM trophy, which features on HANKOOK IMPRESSES the same bill as the international tour- ing car series. In the pow- AS TOP TYRE SUPPLIER ered by Hankook, the Ventus Race tyre has impressed for years with its strong performance, high level of consistency „I always get on well AT RACETRACKS ALL and maximum safety. „The Hankook slick Junior series, including the Formula with the Hankook is very consistent. OVER THE WORLD Renault Eurocup, FIA F4 and the race tyre, as it is fast, F4 British Championships certified by Sometimes it is consistent and pre- FIA, benefit from the high quality and surprising how long Hankook has been a big name in international motorsport predictability of the Hankook race tyre. dictable. The Han- it lasts, even in for years. The premium tyre maker supplies wor- In amateur racing too, premium tyre ings are incorporated in the develop- kook tyre and a car maker Hankook supports prestigious ment of series products. For example, difficult conditions ld-renowned racing series with its high-end products and, set up ideally for that events like the Rundstrecken-Challenge this process was behind the Ventus S1 and under great strain. with engineers and mechanics, offers optimal on-site Nürburgring e.V. (RCN), which sees evo 3, which has received many acco- DTM/BMW tyre form a perfect roughly 160 cars line up in each race. lades. The Hankook flagship, which is However, you have to

Formula Renault Eurocup support for all teams. With its successful Ventus Race package, with which line, Hankook is one of the top tyre suppliers in racing The Hankook engineers gather valu- based on technology tried and tested know exactly when able data on the performance of the in the DTM, allows drivers to enjoy the you can challenge for you can afford to push and rallying. As a global player, Hankook is continuously Ventus Race at all racetracks. This company’s motto, “Driving Emotion”, to the title.“ expanding its involvement in motorsport. information is analysed and the find- the full on the road. on it. Tyre manage- ment is crucial.“ Marco Wittmann Marco

2 Hankook Motorsport Presskit 2020 Motorsport Presskit 2020 Hankook 3 10 Years of DTM

ON TRACK FOR SUCCESS TOGETHER: Since its DTM debut in 2011, Despite all the technical develop- end featured two qualifying sessions up to 100 hp more powerful than its Hankook has consistently developed ments and innovations, the exclusive and two races. The high performance predecessor, while the Hankook race its slick tyre in four phases. As early as DTM tyre partner always delivers a of the Hankook race tyre remained a tyre remained unchanged. However, HANKOOK AND THE 2012, the premium tyre maker pre- consistently high quality to the teams. constant in the international touring the performance of the Ventus Race sented its second generation – a The perfect support provided by car series. In the 2018 season, two was unaffected by the turbo engine’s larger and wider tyre, adapted to the Hankook engineers on site ensures night races were held for the first time significantly higher amount of power DTM IN THEIR TENTH new DTM cars. In 2013, Hankook that all the DTM drivers can take full in DTM history. The Ventus Race and non-linear transmission. BMW developed the option tyre, in addition advantage of the potential perfor- impressed again in Misano (), both Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt, SEASON TOGETHER to the basic slick. With its super-soft mance of the Ventus Race, resulting in on a hot track during the day and in after the finale in Hockenheim: “The compound, this tyre allowed very fast spectacular and exciting races. At the heavy rain at night. “I was astonished new, more powerful turbo engines Hankook and the DTM are celebrating a decade-long part- lap times, before deteriorating dra- end of the 2014 season, Manfred by how unbelievably consistent the were a challenge for everyone, but nership this season. The premium tyre maker and the matically after a certain distance, as Sandbichler, Hankook’s Motorsport Hankook race tyre was in all condi- Hankook did a good job, as always, specified in the design brief. The Director Europe, announced: “Since tions. The Hankook engineers have and there were no issues with the international touring car series have racked up more than fourth and latest evolutionary stage our debut in the DTM, we have com- done a great job,” said former Formula tyres. The drivers learned quickly and 150 races together and have forged a successful and inno- of the Ventus Race, which was intro- pleted 40 races without a puncture. 1 driver and guest starter Alessandro always made it through the races suc- vative partnership. Hankook’s high-end Ventus Race tyre duced in 2017, features a slightly This clean sheet is also the result of Zanardi, who finished fifth in race two cessfully with two stints. We still have has demonstrated its quality in a diverse range of condi- softer compound. As a rule forbidding the good cooperation between the car in Misano. In autumn 2018, the DTM a great collaboration with Hankook.” tions. Heavy rain and extreme heat in Nuremberg and the pre-heating of slicks was intro- manufacturers, tyre technicians, engi- and Hankook celebrated its 111th race Now in its tenth year, the partner- Budapest, night races in Misano, and the Dream Race duced at the same time as the new neers and drivers.” together at the iconic Nürburgring. ship between Hankook and the DTM is together with the Japanese Super GT series in Fuji – the tyre, the drivers’ ability to manage the The following year, the DTM upped The 2019 season was a big chal- still proving successful. Despite the Hankook race tyre has been, and remains, a strong and tyres has become a crucial factor in its pace. Instead of one qualifying and lenge for Hankook. The DTM cars lined coronavirus crisis, fans can still enjoy a reliable partner for all the teams and drivers. the DTM. one race per round, each race week- up with a new turbo engine, which was full season with 18 races in total.

4 Hankook Motorsport Presskit 2020 Motorsport Presskit 2020 Hankook 5 Other Racing Series

FORMULA RENAULT CELEBRATES ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY WITH HANKOOK Formula Renault is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, and the Formula Renault Eurocup is continuing the suc- cessful collaboration with Hankook, which started in 2019. Last season, the Ventus Race supplied by the exclusive tyre partner proved to be the ideal part- ner for the drivers in one of the strongest junior racing series in the world, thanks to the tyre’s high level of consistency. The Formula Renault Eurocup has always been a springboard for the champions of tomorrow. Formula 1 world champions like Alain Prost, Kimi Räikkönen and have fine-tuned their skills here on the way to a career in inter- national motor racing.

LIGIER JS CUP 24H SERIES POWERED BY HANKOOK Premium tyre maker Hankook France and . This season With seven rounds, the 24H Series New to the calendar this year are Cir- The series is open to professional rac- joined the Ligier JS Cup France as features six rounds, at such iconic powered by Hankook is regarded as cuit Park Zandvoort, the Hockenheim- ing drivers and ambitious amateurs. exclusive tyre partner this season. circuits as Le Mans, Magny-Cours one of the biggest endurance series in ring, the Sicily and Auto- The cars in action range from compact An average of 27 cars line up on and Le Castellet. The race duration the world. For years, the premium tyre dromo Nazionale di Monza. The seven touring cars and spectacular GT3 rac- the Hankook Ventus Race tyre in varies between three and a half maker has accompanied the series as rounds include three 24-hour races, ers to specials built in accordance with this series, which takes place in hours and eight hours. title sponsor and exclusive tyre partner. one 16-hour, and three 12-hour races. 24-hour regulations.

MINI CHALLENGE JUNIORS IN GOOD ITALIA AND LOTUS HANDS WITH CUP ITALIA HANKOOK Since 2019, Hankook has been exclusive Hankook is helping talented youngsters tyre partner of the Lotus Cup Italia and to find their feet in motorsport and has the Mini Challenge Italia. Both series fea- for years supported FIA Spain ture cult cars, in the form of the Lotus and the F4 British Championships certi- and the Mini. The races are held at iconic fied by FIA with its high-end race tyres. Italian circuits, including Autodromo Formula 4 is seen as the link between Nazionale di Monza, Autodromo Interna- karting and . The mini- zionale Enzo e Dino Imola, and the mum age of the drivers is 15 years. Circuit.

6 Hankook Motorsport Presskit 2020 Motorsport Presskit 2020 Hankook 7 Other Racing Series

RADICAL PARTNERSHIP ON DIFFERENT CONTINENTS: HANKOOK AND BRITISH SPORTS CAR MANUFACTURER, RADICAL

In 2018, Hankook and Radical agreed a As such, Hankook is involved in various long-term collaboration. Since then, international Radical racing series, the premium tyre maker has been including the “Radical SR1 Cup” proto- exclusive original equipment supplier type series in England, as well as the for the British sports car manufactur- “Middle East”, “Canada”, “Australia” and SUPERCAR CHALLENGE POWERED er’s road-going models and race cars. “Scandinavia” cup series. BY HANKOOK

The Supercar Challenge is celebrating fessionals and amateur drivers at the its 20th anniversary this season. wheel of touring cars, GT and sports Formed in 2001 as the Dutch Supercar cars in the GT, Supersport 1, Super- Challenge, the ‘Dutch’ was removed sport 2 and Sport classes. The calendar from the title in 2011. Over the course features five rounds in the Nether- of time, this series has developed into lands, including the event in Assen, at a top motorsport event. Hankook is which the Supercar Challenge shared now in its fourth season as exclusive the bill with the DTM. The season also tyre partner and title sponsor. The concludes in Assen with the Hankook diversified field includes full-time pro- Finale Races.

THE ARDENNES RACE – 500 LAPS ON HANKOOK RACE TYRES

The TCR Spa 500 is the only touring car race in the world that lasts over 500 laps. RUNDSTRECKEN-CHALLENGE NÜRBURGRING The motorsport spectacle takes place at the iconic, 7.004-kilometre Spa-Francor- Since 2018, Hankook has supplied the lenge Nürburgring e.V. (RCN) comprises champs circuit. 175 in 40 cars line up on oldest mass racing series in with seven events on the legendary 20.83-kilo- Hankook race tyres for the race in the the Ventus Race slick (F200) and its wet- metre Nordschleife. Last year, an average Ardennes region of . weather derivative, the Ventus Race Rain of 160 professional and amateur drivers (Z207). This season’s Rundstrecken-Chal- lined up in each race.

8 Hankook Motorsport Presskit 2020 Motorsport Presskit 2020 Hankook 9 Interview

INTERVIEW WITH MANFRED » The top priority for SANDBICHLER Hankook is to provide

HANKOOK MOTORSPORT DIRECTOR EUROPE the best product and service everywhere – at Hankook is in its tenth season as eration of our Ventus Race helped to exclusive tyre partner to the DTM. make last season’s DTM the fastest the racetrack and on How important is this long-term col- ever. laboration for Hankook? What makes the DTM so special? the roads. « The debut season in 2011 was quite an Exciting and spectacular motorsport. accolade for Hankook. The DTM is one After the withdrawal of Aston Martin, of the biggest and most prestigious we now have two manufacturers bat- motorsport events around. Within this tling it out for the title, in Audi and racing format, we have been able to BMW. That makes the performance of work with internationally-recognised the Hankook race tyre and our on-site vehicle manufacturers and stand shoul- support even more important, which One such driver is , who ing events, with roughly 160 cars lining der-to-shoulder with these renowned gives us extra motivation. The DTM finished runner-up in the Formula 1 up in each race. brands. We are proud of what we have Trophy, which we have also supplied World Championship. We are also con- achieved with the DTM. with our race tyre as partner from the tinuing to support talented youngsters Hankook is tyre supplier to many rac- outset, adds a bit of extra spice on DTM in FIA Formula 4 Spain and the F4 Brit- ing events. How big is the logistical How has the cooperation been for race weekends. ish Championships certified by FIA. challenge? the past nine years? It is more effort every year. However, It has been trusting and very produc- How are you going about supporting Which other racing series does as a global player, we are always look- tive from the outset. As in any long- young drivers? Hankook support? ing to move into new areas. We provide term relationship, there have been We are proud to be the exclusive tyre We are growing all the time and contin- optimal support at all racetracks with highs and lows. However, any issues partner of the Formula Renault Euro- uously expanding our involvement in our experienced teams. That goes for were settled amicably. Hankook has cup again this year, as Renault cele- motor racing. Hankook is active in tour- small and large events, there is no consistently developed its race tyres brates its 50th anniversary in Formula ing cars and Formula racing, right emphasis on one or the other. We are for the DTM since that first season back racing. This junior series has been the through to the big GTs, so our commit- just as passionate about such outland- in 2011. Together with the cars’ new springboard to an international career ment is very diverse. We are continuing ish series as the 1006 Kilometres of 600-hp turbo engines, the fourth gen- in motorsport for many racing drivers. our collaboration with the 24H Series Palanga in Lithuania, in which the races powered by Hankook, as title sponsor take place at a motorway intersection, and tyre supplier, as well as the Belcar as we are about the Histo-Cup in Aus- Series and Runstrecken Challenge in tria and the DTM events. the and Belgium, to name but a few formats that we support. What significance does the involve- ment in motorsport have for » Together with the cars’ Hankook is also active at the Nürbur- Hankook’s road-going products? gring, isn’t it? Racing circuits are a kind of test track new 600-hp turbo engines, We are tyre partner of the Rundstreck- outside the factory for us. Here, we can en-Challenge Nürburgring e.V. (RCN), put new developments and innovations the fourth generation of which is Germany’s oldest motorsport through their paces and gain valuable series for touring cars. This season, experience in a wide range of condi- our Ventus Race helped to Hankook is also the new advertising tions. Our engineers gather valuable partner of the Nürburgring Endurance data, which is then incorporated in make last season’s DTM Series, formerly the VLN, which is series production. The top priority for regarded as the biggest motorsport Hankook is to provide the best product the fastest ever. « championship in the world. Both are and service everywhere – at the race- internationally-recognised mass sport- track and on the roads.

10 Hankook Motorsport Presskit 2020 Motorsport Presskit 2020 Hankook 11 Best Pit Stop Award

ACKNOWLEDGING ALL-ROUND PERFORMANCE: HANKOOK PRESENTS THE BEST PIT STOP AWARD FOR THE TENTH TIME

The Hankook Best Pit Stop Award This coveted award is not only will this year be presented for the intended to acknowledge the perfor- tenth time. Since becoming involved mance of the victorious crew, which is in the DTM in 2011, the premium always vitally important in this fierce- tyre maker has rewarded the team ly-competitive international touring car that produced the fastest tyre series. With the Best Pit Stop Award, changes over the course of the entire Hankook is also raising awareness of season with a valuable crystal trophy. just how important and decisive the At the end of each DTM weekend, work carried out by all the teams in the points are awarded for the fastest pit lane can be. Defending champion is stop from the two races, using the Audi Sport Team Phoenix, who won same points system as the DTM last year to complete a hat-trick and standings. earn their fourth victory in total.

PREVIOUS WINNERS

2019 AUDI SPORT TEAM PHOENIX

2018 AUDI SPORT TEAM PHOENIX

2017 AUDI SPORT TEAM PHOENIX

2016 BMW TEAM MTEK

2015 AUDI SPORT TEAM ABT

2014 MERCEDES-AMG TEAM HWA

2013 BMW TEAM SCHNITZER

2012 AUDI SPORT TEAM ABT

2011 AUDI SPORT TEAM PHOENIX

12 Hankook Motorsport Presskit 2020 Motorsport Presskit 2020 Hankook 13 Original Equipment Sustainability

AS ORIGINAL SUSTAINABILITY AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT EQUIPMENT SUPPLIER ARE IN HANKOOK’S CORPORATE DNA

TO TOP BRANDS, Last year, Hankook was listed in the Dow one of the highest accolades for a company’s HANKOOK DELIVERS Jones Sustainability Index World (DJSI World) services to the field of social responsibility/ for the fourth time in a row. This high accolade CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility). As the TAILORED TYRE once again shows that the premium tyre highest level of recognition, the Platinum rat- SOLUTIONS maker is a leading global player when it comes ing is only awarded to companies who are to sustainability and social commitment. It is among the top 1 percent of their sector The way a car performs is directly linked to the In the Research and also the only Asia-based company in the auto- worldwide. performance of its tyres. With this in mind, Development Centre in Han- motive supply industry, which is listed in the Hankook was honoured with the Platinum global automotive groups proceed according to nover (Germany), a state-of-the-art factory in DJSI World. rating for its clear CSR goals, its involvement in strict criteria when selecting a tyre maker, in Rácalmás (Hungary), and internal test facilities The DJSI World is the world’s leading index various sustainability initiatives, and for its order to be able to offer their customers sporty in Spain and Finland, roughly 80 Hankook for sustainability and investments. It awards CSR-related corporate policy. driving dynamics, a high level of comfort, and engineers and technicians develop tailored certificates to concerns and evaluates their EcoVadis is an international institute with maximum safety. Hankook is a sought-after tyre solutions for European automobile manu- activities with regard to financial, ecological, headquarters in France, which provides relia- original equipment partner of many top interna- facturers. It is here that high-end road tyres ethical and social aspects. In 2019, 318 com- ble social responsibility ratings. The ratings tional automobile manufacturers. As an exclu- are designed and produced for such top panies were listed on the DJSI World index, agency evaluates roughly 6,500 companies sive tyre partner of renowned racing formats all brands as Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Por- making up 12.6 percent of the world’s leading from 160 countries and is highly-regarded over the world, the company can call on a vast sche in the passenger car segment, as well as 2,526 companies. within the European automotive industry. The wealth of experience. Valuable findings from the MAN, Mercedes-Benz Trucks, Scania and In 2020, premium tyre maker Hankook was ratings currently range from Bronze and Silver world of motorsport are incorporated in the Schmitz-Cargobull in the field of vans, buses awarded the Platinum rating by EcoVadis – to Gold and Platinum. development of series production. and trucks.

14 Hankook Motorsport Presskit 2020 Motorsport Presskit 2020 Hankook 15 IMPRINT

HANKOOK TIRE EUROPE GMBH CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS EUROPE & CIS

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YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION IN OUR HANKOOK MEDIA CENTER www.hankooktire-mediacenter.com

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Felix Kinzer Director Corporate Communications

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Julia-Larissa Büsch PR Manager / Corporate Communications Team

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Picture credits: Hoch Zwei, DPPI, 24H Series powered by Hankook, RCN, Oliver Read Photography