Hankook and the FIA Formula 3 European Championship prematurely signed a partnership deal for a further three years following the DTM and FIA Formula 3 race in Spielberg. This is the second time Hankook has extended its contract since entering the FIA Formula 3 European Championship. The consistent cooperation and partnership with the FIA motor sports series for young drivers underlines the confidence placed in the manufacturer’s tyre technology.

Neu-Isenburg, Germany, 24 May 2016 – Hankook and the FIA Formula 3 European Championship officially extended their successful cooperation following the DTM and FIA Formula 3 race last week in Spielberg. In the customary way, Hankook will continue to deliver its Ventus Race F200 racing tyres for the 225 hp racing cars belonging to the FIA Formula 3 racing teams.

Walter Mertes, CEO of the Formula 3-Vermarktungs GmbH, who organises and promotes the FIA Formula 3 European Championship, is extremely satisfied with the extension to the cooperation. “Hankook has been committed to motor sport for young new racing talents for years. The enthusiasm and passion Hankook puts into our racing series is tremendous. So we are of course especially delighted about the further cooperation.”

The tyre maker has been actively involved in international motorsport since 1992 and is committed to various motorsport series such as the DTM, FIA Formula 3 European Championship, the 24 H Endurance Races powered by Hankook and the TCR series in Germany, Italy and Portugal.

In view of the new contract signing, Manfred Sandbichler, Hankook Motorsport Director Europe, stated, “Hankook has been focussing especially on motorsport for young new drivers for years. For this reason, we are particularly pleased to have extended our successful partnership with the FIA Formula 3 European Championship. Our extremely active and friendly cooperation set us apart, and we are very proud of this.”

The FIA Formula 3 European Championship season got under way on April 1 at the classic Paul Ricard circuit in France. The current Championship leader, Lance Stroll, is very satisfied with the Ventus Race from Hankook and is very much looking forward to continuing the cooperation. “The understanding of perfect tyre handling is a critical success factor. As drivers we need to understand the tyres to fully use their high potential. Due to their strong performance the Hankook racing tyres are ideally suited for this.”

– Laufenn participates in Reifen 2016 highlighting the brand’s successful strategic globalization endeavors

– With continuous efforts to increase global presence, Laufenn meets diverse lifestyle needs of global consumer

May 24, 2016 (Seoul, Korea) – The new global brand Laufenn will participate in ‘Reifen’, the world’s leading trade fair for tires in Essen, Germany from May 24th to 27th. Following the participation in 2015 SEMA Show, Laufenn continues to expand global presence along with its successful strategic globalization efforts.

Laufenn represents both symbolic and tangible proof point of Hankook Tire’s vision for growth in the global automotive market. It is born in pursuit of simplicity, dedicated to providing an optimized performance and good driving experience. The brand provides well-rounded products for smart and sensible consumers to fit well with a variety of lifestyle needs.

Following its first U.S. launch in 2014, Laufenn has successfully debuted in the global market by continuously expanding its dealer base. Laufenn was introduced in 19 countries including North America, Latin America, China, Middle East and South Asia in 2015, adding Europe in 2016. Now, the brand is available in 47 countries. Under the strategic plan to increase brand portfolio, Laufenn aims to achieve successful globalization, expanding its market base to 70 countries by the end of 2016.

As seen in its market expansion, Laufenn showed notable performance in sales as well. As the sales in Europe started in 2016, Laufenn is projected to mark 400% growth compared to last year coupled with continuous growth in U.S and China.

Seung-Hwa Suh, Vice Chairman and CEO of Hankook Tire said, “Laufenn has become a strong global brand with accelerated growth in global automotive market.” He added that “Laufenn continues to reach our customers by offering the most sensible and reliable value to meet the diverse lifestyle needs with superior technology and driving experience.”

After the Red Bull Ring in the Austrian Alps, this weekend the Lausitzring is the third stop of the 2016 DTM season. A motorsport highlight of never-before-seen proportions awaits the spectators on the 3.478-kilometre asphalt track. With the DTM, the ADAC GT Masters, the ADAC Formula 4, the Porsche Carrera Cup Germany and the Superbike*IDM, fans will have the complete racing package on one track. The track demands one thing in particular from the racing tyres of exclusive DTM partner Hankook: high grip potential.

Klettwitz/Germany, 2nd June 2016 – As in previous years, the DTM races will be held on the Grand Prix track and will start in an anticlockwise direction. With a total of twelve turns and only a few straights, the Lausitzring is one of the more technically demanding DTM tracks. Just 55 percent of the track is driven at full throttle; the average speed is 161 kilometres per hour. The racing tyres of exclusive DTM partner Hankook must provide plenty of traction on the slow sections of the track and in the angular infield so that the drivers can accelerate out of these passages quickly.

After the start comes a sharp left turn into the barely visible infield, where things can get very tight. Which is why the drivers often need to cut across the level kerbs to avoid collisions. “In contrast with the high, sharp-edged kerbs of the Hockenheimring, for example, the kerbstones here don’t represent a challenge for the Hankook racing tyres. They don’t put too much pressure on the construction of the Ventus Race,” explained Thomas Baltes, Hankook DTM race engineer.

The fast-paced changes of direction on the first section of the track are followed by slower passages, where, in the acceleration zones, the drivers receive optimum support from the high level of grip provided by the Hankook racing tyres. Then, on the start-finish straight, the drivers reach the top speed on the Lausitzring of more than 240 kilometres per hour, but must battle with their high-powered cars bouncing as a result of the uneven surface. Thomas Baltes: “These up and down movements at the front of the cars can be minimised by the right combination of air pressure and car set-up.”

The asphalt at the Lausitzring has fine pores and is very smooth. Which is why it is important for drivers and teams to quickly get the Ventus Race of premium tyre maker Hankook to work and in the optimum temperature range of between 90 and 100 degrees Celsius. “With the perfect combination of the right air pressure and vehicle set-up with regard to traction and aerodynamics, the Hankook racing tyre quickly develops its full grip potential,” said the Hankook DTM race engineer.

– Third round of the 2016 season finds Forsberg on the winner’s podium for the second time this year

WAYNE, N.J., June 6, 2016 – Hankook Tire driver Chris Forsberg brought home a third place podium finish this past weekend at Formula Drift Round 3: Uncharted Territory in Orlando, Florida.

The racing was intense in Orlando with temperatures hitting the upper 90’s and track conditions that tested both drivers and their tires. Forsberg qualified sixth in the Hankook Tire/Nissan 370Z and quickly advanced to the Top 16. After a close battle against Latvian driver Kristaps Bluss, Forsberg piloted his 370Z to a third place finish putting him on the podium for the second time this season.

“We just wrapped up Formula Drift Orlando and we got on top of the podium again with a 3rd place finish and it feels great. It was a very hard fought battle with lots of crazy runs and crazy calls in addition to lots of tires debeading due to competitors trying to find as much grip as they could on the track,” said Forsberg. “I’ve got to say my Hankook tires did a great job staying on the rims and that’s what really helped us get a spot on the podium with no technical outs this weekend. Want to also thank my team who did a great job all weekend preparing an awesome car that helped me secure the podium spot this weekend.”

Forsberg’s podium finish places him in third place in the 2016 Pro Championship points race.

“Weather was definitely a factor in Orlando this weekend as we noticed lots of competitors having issues finding grip and ultimately debeading tires on the harsh transitions from the banks into the flat areas of the track,” said Donato Bonacquisto, Hankook Tire Motorsports Marketing Manager. “Fortunately our Ventus R-S3’s did a great job providing grip and staying on the rims which allowed Chris to win some really tough battles against strong competitors. Chris demonstrated amazing car control and consistency as he kept pushing hard to secure the podium spot and close the gap in the championship standings.”

Formula Drift heads to Wall Speedway in New Jersey, June 17th – 18th, for round four of the 2016 season.

A first for Lucas Auer. The Mercedes-Benz driver claimed the maiden win of his DTM career on Sunday at the Lausitzring, making him the first Austrian to win a race in what is probably the most popular international touring car series. The race tyre of exclusive DTM partner Hankook provided the 21-year-old with enough traction and security at the Lausitzring to comfortably take the first victory of his career.

Klettwitz/Germany, 05 June 2016 – The third weekend of the 2016 DTM season at the Lausitzring is one that Lucas Auer will never forget. The young Austrian impressed with seventh place in Saturday’s opening race. On Sunday, Auer was the fastest man in qualifying in his Mercedes-AMG C 63 DTM, before leading from start to finish to win race two in dominant fashion.

Audi driver Mattias Ekström started the race from ninth place and employed the same strategy as he used in Spielberg. The Swede was one of the last drivers to come into the pits for his tyre change on lap 31, and was then able to work his way into second place. Robert Wickens (Mercedes-Benz) came home third after 46 laps of racing to take the lead in the Drivers’ Championship. The pick of the BMW drivers in sixth place was Marco Wittmann, who leaves the Lausitzring second in the overall standings, ahead of Mattias Ekström.

Manfred Sandbichler, Hankook Motorsport Director Europe: “We have had a great DTM weekend with thrilling racing and victory for Lucas Auer, who became the first Austrian to win in the DTM. In total there have been six different winners in the six races so far, and the lead has changed hands in the Drivers’ Championship after nearly every race. That shows the strength in depth in the DTM. The Hankook race tyre performed to its usual high quality again today, in track temperatures of 41 degrees. The Hankook slicks offered all 24 drivers optimal support from the first lap to the last. The conditions will be completely different again at the Norisring in three weeks. Hopefully the racing will be just as exciting as it was today.”

BMW Team MTEK completed the fastest pit stop at the Lausitzring, in a time of 31.428 seconds. Their efforts were rewarded with 25 points towards the Hankook Best Pit Stop Award. The winning crew also receives the traditional prize at the next race weekend, which takes place at the Norisring in Nuremberg. Come the end of the season, the exclusive tyre partner of the DTM presents the highest-scoring, and thus the fastest, team with what has become a much sought-after trophy.

Lucas Auer (Mercedes-Benz): “I am overjoyed to be the first Austrian to win a race in the DTM. The Hankook race tyre was incredibly consistent all weekend here at the Lausitzring. I drove a very long second stint in the race, but had plenty of grip right through to the finish, so was able to bring home my first win.”

Mattias Ekström (Audi): “Generally speaking, everything went very well for us this weekend. I was surprised that the Hankook race tyre had so much grip, given the many different types of rubber left on the track from the various racing series. I had the feeling that actually gave the tyres even more grip. Racing like that is great fun.”

Robert Wickens (Mercedes-Benz): “The Hankook race tyre was very good. We came in early for the tyre change, and the new set also had an awful lot of grip. However, the slick cooled down in the slow zone, and Mattias took advantage of that and overtook me on his fresh tyres. I was happy with my third place, which allowed me to move to the top of the Drivers’ Championship.”

Marco Wittmann (BMW): “It was a good weekend for us. We finished fourth and sixth. We were not expecting that coming into the event. Today I climbed from eighth to sixth. That was all very positive. I had a lot of grip with the Hankook race tyre, particularly at the start of the second stint. However, the slicks did cool down a bit in the slow zone, which meant I needed a bit of time to get the tyre working again. On the whole, I am very happy.”

Miguel Molina claimed the second DTM victory of his career in Saturday’s race at the Lausitzring, on the third race weekend of the 2016 DTM season. The Audi driver started the opening race of the weekend from pole, but was overtaken at the start by fellow Audi man Jamie Green. Molina moved back to the front of the field on lap eight, and defended his lead superbly through to the finish. In glorious summer temperatures, the race tyre of exclusive DTM Partner Hankook provided the usual outstanding overall performance, offering consistently high grip levels right through to the final lap.

Klettwitz/Germany, 04 June 2016 – With temperatures soaring at the Lausitzring, it was Audi driver Jamie Green who made the best start on Saturday, passing fellow Audi driver and pole-sitter Miguel Molina on the opening lap. However, the Spaniard fought back to take victory after 32 laps of racing.

Green finished runner-up, and was joined on the podium by Robert Wickens who was third in his Mercedes-AMG C 63 DTM. The best-placed BMW driver was Marco Wittmann, who came home fourth. This was enough to move the 2014 DTM champion to the top of the Drivers’ Championship. Edoardo Mortara (Audi) picked up four points in eighth place and is now second in the overall standings, ahead of Mercedes-Benz drivers Paul Di Resta and Robert Wickens.

Manfred Sandbichler, Hankook Motorsport Director Europe: “With track temperatures reaching 43 degrees, the Hankook race tyre proved its full capability. As we saw in qualifying, almost all the cars were very evenly matched. The lap times were consistently quick, right through to the finish. Throughout the entire race, the high kerbs and different track surfaces, which were the subject of much discussion coming into the weekend, were mastered with the usual aplomb by the Hankook slick. We are already looking forward to tomorrow’s second race, when everyone starts from scratch again and the battle for pole position and victory at the Lausitzring recommences.”

Miguel Molina (Audi): “It was difficult at first, due to all the rubber left on the track from the other racing series. I soon found my rhythm and, after overtaking Jamie, was able to really push with the Hankook race tyre. The grip was very good, and allowed me to claim my second DTM victory.”

Jamie Green (Audi): “The various different racing series here at the Lausitzring meant there was a wide range of different types of rubber on the track. This made my car behave a bit differently to usual. The Hankook race tyre worked well throughout the entire race. Unfortunately, we were unable to exhaust the full potential of the Hankook slick.”

Robert Wickens (Mercedes-Benz): “I was very happy with the Hankook race tyre. You could set consistently quick lap times with it right rough to the finish, without there being any drop-off effect. Unfortunately, that was also true for the other drivers, so I was unable to gain any more places.”

Marco Wittmann (BMW): “I actually made the best start, but there was no way through. Unfortunately, I then lost a place. I then had a great fight with the Mercedes-Benz behind me, who, unlike me, were still able to use their DRS. The Hankook race tyre was excellent in qualifying too. I coped very well with it, and have consequently taken the lead in the overall standings.”

Nico Müller won Sunday’s second DTM race at the Norisring to claim his first victory in what is possibly the most popular international touring car series. After 72 laps of racing, pole-sitter Tom Blomqvist (BMW) crossed the finish line second. The race tyre of premium tyre maker Hankook once again impressed through its excellent performance, which helped Tom Blomqvist to set a new lap record of 48.328 seconds at the Norisring.

Nuremberg/Germany, 26th June 2016 – Nico Müller (Audi) started the race from third on the grid, and immediately made up one position at the start. Following his pit stop on the 43rd lap, the Swiss driver rejoined the race at the head of the field and held on to his lead through to the finish. Pole-sitter Tom Blomqvist (BMW) finished runner-up ahead of his team-mate Maxime Martin.

Soon after the start, Paul Di Resta (Mercedes-Benz) collided with Mattias Ekström (Audi). While the Swede was forced to retire from the race, Di Resta was able to continue and eventually came home fourth, ahead of fellow Mercedes-Benz driver Lucas Auer. This result sees the Scot climb into third place in the overall standings. The new leader in the Drivers’ Championship is Marco Wittmann. The BMW driver finished sixth to leapfrog ahead of Edoardo Mortara (Audi), who was sixth at the Norisring.

“We have had a fantastic DTM weekend at the Norisring, with dramatic races, exciting battles for position, and thrilling overtaking manoeuvres. The 123,000 DTM fans in Nuremberg and watching on the television were treated to everything that makes motorsport so popular. The Hankook race tyre was superb again here, as it has been throughout the entire 2016 season, impressing with a strong performance, a high level of consistency, and maximum safety. The DTM returns in two weeks in Zandvoort, where the circuit is nestled in the dunes and the challenges for the drivers and tyres will be completely different to here in Nuremberg. That is what makes the DTM so attractive,” said Manfred Sandbichler, Hankook Motorsport Director Europe.

Audi Sport Team Abt completed the fasted pit stop at the Norisring, with a time of 29.490 seconds. Their reward is 25 points for the overall classification in Hankook’s Best Pit Stop Award. The victorious crew will also receive the traditional reward for their performance at the coming race weekend in Zandvoort. At the end of the season, the exclusive tyre partner of the DTM will present the team with the most points, and thereby the fastest team, with a challenge cup that has been highly sought after for many years.

Nico Müller (Audi): “The high degree of consistency of the Hankook tyres was the key to my success. I was able to stay on the track for a long time with the first set and drive top times. Even after the pit stop the pace was immediately there again on the fresh slicks; I am delighted with the Hankook race tyres.”

Tom Blomqvist (BMW): “We drove a very strong race today. The Hankook tyres provided us with optimum support and were even better today than yesterday. We set exactly the right air pressure and had a great deal of grip from the first to the final lap. Which is exactly as we had imagined.”

Maxime Martin (BMW): “The race here at the Norisring is unique in the DTM. You always have to brake hard to be able to accelerate hard again. It is very difficult and you can’t afford to make a mistake. The Hankook race tyres performed very well and didn’t show any signs of wear and tear at all. I am happy with how things went today.”

Edoardo Mortara triumphed in the first race of the DTM weekend at the Norisring on Saturday. The fifth win for the Audi driver in the probably most popular international touring car series ended the 14-year winning streak for Mercedes-Benz on the Nuremberg street circuit. Championship leader Robert Wickens (Mercedes-Benz) had to retire on lap 20 through no fault of his own, after an unfortunate collision. Despite track temperatures rising above 40 degrees, the race tyre from premium partner Hankook performed as well as expected at the Norisring, showing hardly any wear and allowing the drivers to brake hard and accelerate swiftly with the usual high level of grip.

Nuremberg/Germany, 25th June 2016 – Edoardo Mortara started the race from sixth position and profited from a pile-up on lap 20 that involved the front three. Whilst trying to move up from third place, Audi driver Mattias Ekström collided with race leader Christian Vietoris (Mercedes-Benz) and his brand team-mate Robert Wickens, who was in second at the time.

While Ekström and Wickens had to retire after the collision, Vietoris lost a lot of ground and Mortara moved into lead, which he defended until the chequered flag after 49 laps. This was the second win of the season for the 29-year-old, propelling him back to the top of the Drivers’ Championship. His Audi team-mate Jamie Green finished second and moved up to third place in the overall standings. Paul Di Resta was the best-placed Mercedes-Benz driver, claiming the final podium place.

The best BMW driver was Marco Wittmann, who battled to fourth place after starting the race from thirteenth on the grid. This result ensured that the 2014 DTM champion remained in second place in the drivers’ standings. Manfred Sandbichler, Hankook Motorsport Director Europe: “It was a typical Norisring race with a lot of tough battles and plenty of overtaking manoeuvres. The spectators witnessed some great motorsport and the Hankook race tyre delivered a convincing overall performance today. This makes the second race on Sunday especially exciting, as everything could change once again.”

Edoardo Mortara (Audi): “This win is a great success for our team. The Hankook tyres were also very good in this heat. There are enough straights at the Norisring to cool them down a bit. Tyre wear was not an issue at all and the Hankook tyre had plenty of grip right to the end.”

Jamie Green (Audi): “The Hankook tyre can take a lot of punishment, as we saw in the race. The slick provided a lot of traction over the distance, even in these high temperatures, and the wear was minimal. We had no problems at all with the Hankook race tyre.”

Paul Di Resta (Mercedes-Benz): “The conditions were very challenging on these very short laps. The race tyre from Hankook provided plenty of grip and continues to be very consistent. The weather should be a bit cooler tomorrow, which will make the race easier. And we are in a very strong position.”

– The contract starts from July 2016 with an initial duration period of 3 seasons.

– The partnership between Hankook and the 2016 UEFA Champions League winner furthermore represents the shared spirit of winning innovation in premium brand equity.

June 30, 2016 (Seoul, Korea) – Hankook Tire, an already long time active global sports marketing player, added high profile Real Madrid CF to its premium sports marketing and sponsoring portfolio. The initially three year (three seasons) agreement with the recent UEFA Champions League winner takes effect as of July 2016 and beside perimeter advertising during all home games at the football club’s Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, will include a range of further global marketing rights.

The agreement signifies the shared spirit of winning innovation in premium brand equity, manifested in both Real Madrid’s dominating global football success, and Hankook Tire’s proven technological excellence and premium products. Both parties promote forward looking investments, innovative strategies and consistent efforts for customers and fans. Hankook Tire aim to increase brand recognition and expand its global footprint along with Real Madrid’s worldwide popularity.

“This strategic partnership with one of the world’s best football clubs is a gift to our customers and of course the fans of the Hankook brand around the world.” said Mr. Seung Hwa Suh, Hankook Tire’s Vice Chairman & CEO. He added that “as Hankook Tire and Real Madrid share the culture of winning innovation in respective fields, we believe that the partnership would be another stepping stone for both parties to enhance reputation as premium brands in the global community. Hankook Tire will provide outstanding driving performance to our customers matched with Real Madrid’s outstanding contribution to football.”

The sponsorship agreement between Real Madrid and Hankook Tire will not be limited to the team’s home matches of the Primera División (the Spanish 1st league), but also includes Real Madrid’s Copa del Rey matches (the Spanish national soccer cup) as well as international home and away matches. Based on 450 million Real Madrid fans all over the world, Hankook will actively communicate its brand philosophy and innovative products and services through a number of promotions including diverse marketing events with the Club’s world-class players.

Hankook is already engaged as an official/premium partner and sponsor in various major international sports and motorsports activities: UEFA Europa League, BVB Borussia Dortmund (German 1st league soccer club), Northampton Saints rugby club (UK league), LOU rugby club (French league), DTM (Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters), FIA Formula 3 European Championship and more.