Confetti shower, thunderous applause and tears from the new world champion. Pascal Wehrlein from the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team claimed his first world title in the fully electric series at the Hankook London E-Prix, the grand finale to the Formula E season. “This is unbelievable. For weeks, I have told myself every day that we can do it. This weekend was just awesome. We had a good pace. As far as the tire is concerned, I really cannot complain at all. It was good. From the warm-up and qualifying to the race, the tire was absolutely outstanding,” said the new world champion, singing the praises of the Hankook iON Race tire. The 29-year-old German’s recipe for success was his consistency over the course of the season’s 16 races. He made five appearances on the podium, three times as the race winner and picked up points in all but two races. The world champion in the Team competition is the Jaguar TCS Racing team, while Porsche ended the season as the top manufacturer. 

On Saturday, Wehrlein won the opening race of the final double-header of 2024. Second place went to Mitch Evans (Jaguar TCS Racing), ahead of Sébastien Buemi (Envision Racing). Oliver Rowland (Nissan Formula E Team) took the checkered flag as the race winner on Sunday. He was followed home in second and third place by Wehrlein and Evans. 

Hankook was also represented on the podium in London. On Saturday, Sanghoon Lee, President & COO of Hankook Tire Europe, presented the trophy to the victorious Wehrlein. On Sunday, it was Hankook’s Senior Director Motorsport, Manfred Sandbichler, who handed over the runner-up trophy to new world champion Wehrlein. 

 “On behalf of Hankook, congratulations to the new world champion,” said Manfred Sandbichler, Hankook Senior Director Motorsport. “Pascal Wehrlein deservedly came out on top against a strong field, thanks to his excellent driving, a magnificent team at his side, and the high level of grip provided by the Hankook iON Race. The two races that formed the double-header in London were once again the best possible advertisement for Formula E. Sold-out grandstands and thousands of visitors in the Fan Village are evidence of the appeal of this pioneering and sustainable series. We can look back on the two extremely positive seasons of Formula E as the official technical partner and tire supplier of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship. The drivers have always been able to rely on the Hankook iON Race in all conditions and appreciate our premium product.” 

Level of quality 

Since entering the Formula E World Championship in 2022, Hankook and its premium product, the Hankook iON Race tire, have not suffered a single puncture for which the tire was responsible. “We are very proud that our Hankook iON Race has impressed with this level of quality in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship. It has done so despite experiencing a diverse variety of circuits, surfaces, and temperatures in the 24 months since our Formula E debut in Valencia. The tire adapts to the conditions like a chameleon and consistently provides a high level of grip. In 32 races, 32 qualifying sessions, and 55 free practices, there has not been one puncture, for which we were to blame. That is impressive,” said Manfred Sandbichler, Hankook Senior Director Motorsport, during a press briefing at the Hankook London E-Prix. 

An audience of roughly 25 international media representatives was also given an insight into the further development of the Hankook iON Race tire. The modified Gen3 Evo will be used starting next season. “I only recently drove the new car on the new tire and I can say that it provides even more grip and that we will see even better lap times. It is really a great step forward,” said Maserati MSG Racing driver Maximilian Günther, impressed. “Feedback like this is extremely important to us. After all, it is ultimately the drivers who must work with our product on the track,” said Thomas Baltes, Hankook Race Tire Engineer.