Hankook has created a major surprise by snatching the deal to supply the Formula E Championship with tyres for the third iteration of its rules set from 2022 onwards.
The Korean company, which presently supplies the DTM and W Series, was believed to be a relative outsider for the Formula E deal compared to existing tyre partner Michelin.
But Hankook’s tender proposal was confirmed as being successful by the FIA on Wednesday.
“Formula E sets new standards in motorsport as the world’s first and only all electric street racing formula,” said a statement from Hankook.
“Hankook was recently awarded Platinum by EcoVadis for its CSR commitment and is one of only three tyre manufacturers listed in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index World.
“Our future partnership with Formula E therefore fits perfectly with Hankoook’s sustainability concept and we are looking forward to exciting races with the Gen3 as a tyre and technology partner.”
Michelin had provided tyres for the championship since its inception in 2014 and was a major partner beyond its exclusive supply.
It had accelerated its sustainability message significantly and provided three different specs of rubber for the Gen1 and Gen2 cars through the last six seasons.
Matthieu Bonardel, director of Michelin Motorsport said: “We have contributed greatly to the success of the discipline, which today relies on the commitment of ten car manufacturers.
“We will remain fully committed to Formula E until 2022. While at the same time, Michelin will continue to develop its other partnerships to demonstrate that sporting competition and sustainable mobility are inseparable.”
As revealed by The Race last month, Williams Advanced Engineering has regained the battery supply after it provided the first generation of units from 2014 to 2018.
The next spec battery for Formula E is set to be used across the 2022/23 and the 2024/25 seasons and will be part of a package that will be capable of 600kW of regeneration.
The spec batteries are set to include a commercial marketing deal that will help to subsidise and absorb some of the costs.
“We’re extremely proud to be appointed the Gen3 battery supplier for the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, particularly as we have been an integral part of the series from the start,” said Craig Wilson, WAE Managing Director.
“High performance batteries are one of WAE’s core competencies and I am confident we will add further value in the areas of energy density, thermal efficiency, overall performance and reliability.
“Racing in such a competitive environment is also a challenge for batteries, but one that we embrace. We look forward to supporting the series as it moves to its next exciting chapter.”
The Spark Racing Technology company that has built every Formula E car since 2013 will continue to supply the chassis for the third generation of the championship in addition to the front MGU package.
The main rival bud for Spark’s contract came from the Italian YCOM company, run by former Dallara employees Mario Saccone and Nicola Scimeca.
SRT is expected to again work with Dallara for structural and safety components but will co-ordinate the R&D, design, manufacturing, spares and track support elements of the project.
While the FIA did not confirm the scrapping of the Gen2Evo concept (pictured above) The Race understands that teams have been told the upgrades will not race and that the current Gen2 design will run up until the end of the 2021-22 campaign.
In addition to the official announcement regarding the successful tender applicants, the FIA have also confirmed several changes in the Sporting and Technical Regulations to further operating costs for competitors.
For the 2020-21 season there will be a reduction by 25% per single-race competition and by up to 50% at a double-header of tyre allocations.
Teams will also have to operate cars with just 17 personnel, which is down from the current 20.
A limit on the sets of brake discs and pads that may be used over the course of a season has also been implemented as well as potential additional limits on other aspects of running the cars including software, bodywork and sensors.
A recently formed body called the Logistics Working Group has worked on these proposals for the all-electric series first world championship season which begins in January 2021.
The FIA also announced a ‘long-term plan for greater efficiency and sustainability will lead to the future introduction of financial regulations to preserve the competitive balance of Formula E and its viability, going forward.’
This is believed to ultimately pave the way for a formal cost cap for the championship.
As reported by The Race the 600kW regen capable Gen 3 option which will see a power increase up to 350KW in qualifying and 300kW in races has been confirmed.
