Berlin and Formula E – they simply belong together. The all-electric racing series has stopped in Germany’s capital every year since the first season in 2014 and will celebrate its tenth anniversary from May 10th to 12th, 2024 with races nine and ten (live on free TV on DF1 from 3:00 p.m.). Anniversary in Berlin. The race weekend at the disused Tempelhof Airport is also something very special for Hankook, as Germany is one of the company’s core markets worldwide.
The route in the most populous city in the European Union is getting a new layout this year. Even though the length has only changed slightly in season 9 with twelve meters less, five additional corners represent a major challenge for the drivers. 15 corners are spread over the 2.343 kilometer short race track. “The new track layout in Berlin looks great. The track has the usual strong braking zones and some very technical passages,” says local hero Maximilian Günther (Maserati-DS), who has already won the race in Tokyo this season.
Route details for the Formula E race in Berlin
- Length: 2,343 km
- Number of curves: 15 (ten left, five right)
- Direction of travel: Counterclockwise
- Attack Zone: Curve 2
Pascal Wehrlein travels to the home game as the World Cup leader
“Even if the route is different this year, the surface will of course remain the same. The concrete slabs on the apron of the disused airport in Tempelhof are very different: some with gravel, some without and also repaired and washed out in many places,” explains Hankook racing engineer Thomas Baltes. This requires the utmost concentration from the pilots as the grip level increases “But our Hankook iON Race performed very well in season 9 in Berlin,” praises Baltes.
At the last Formula E race in Monaco, Porsche driver Pascal Wehrlein’s fifth place was enough to defend his lead in the overall standings. The 29-year-old travels to the double header in Berlin with a total of 102 points. Nick Cassidy (Jaguar) is only seven points behind in second place. The New Zealander has good memories of the Berlin ePrix. Last year he won the Sunday race and praised the performance of the Hankook standard tire: “The tire was really very consistent and I was able to push the whole time.” Third in the overall standings is Briton Jake Dennis (Andretti-Porsche) with 89 points.
Rookie test in Berlin
The youngsters have already been allowed on the track once this Formula E season, now there is another chance: After the free practice for the rookies in Misano, selected drivers who have not yet competed in an ePrix will be given a chance on the Monday after the Berlin Double-header the opportunity to test the Gen3 car and the Hankook all-weather tire for a whole day.
In two sessions, each lasting three hours, the drivers get used to the vehicle and get the Hankook tire into the optimal working window in order to unleash the maximum performance of the premium tire. “The rookie test is a really great opportunity for drivers to get an intensive impression of the vehicle and also of our tires. The Hankook team will accompany the test intensively and contribute our experience,” explains Manfred Sandbichler, Hankook’s Motorsport Director.
Rowland catches up in Monaco
Most recently in Monaco, the Brit Oliver Rowland made an impressive comeback with the full power of his Nissan car and the extreme grip of the Hankook tires. The 31-year-old gained a total of nine positions and now shares the record of the greatest comebacks with Norman Nato (Andretti-Porsche). Even at the end of the race, Rowland was able to push thanks to the great consistency of the Hankook tires and successfully prevailed against Porsche driver Antonio Felix da Costa in the battle for sixth place. “Looking at the race, I’m very happy with our performance. “That was one of my strongest races this season,” said Rowland.
The Principality of Monaco hosted the eighth round of the 2024 Formula E World Championship. The 3.337 kilometer long street circuit along the harbor and through the streets of the glamorous Mediterranean city-state is one of the highlights in the World Cup calendar. After a confident race, Jaguar driver Mitch Evans from New Zealand was crowned the shining winner. Teammate and compatriot Nick Cassidy followed in second place ahead of Belgian Stoffel Vandoorne (DS Penske).