“Taking on all weather conditions with one type of tire” – Hankook talks about the inside story of Formula E race tire development

Tyre pressure and temperature management in Formula E

Hankook Tire, the sole supplier of tires for the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, revealed some of its tire pressure and temperature management technologies at a press conference held at the Tokyo E-Prix.

Speaking on stage were Manfred Sandbichler, who heads Hankook’s motorsports division, and Armin Joos, who is in charge of TPMS sensor technology. Their explanations provided a glimpse into the front lines of the delicate tire management required in Formula E.

In Formula E, only one type of tire can be used, suitable for both dry and wet conditions, so the engineers are faced with the difficult task of finding a balance that will perform well in any condition. This is supported by a sophisticated sensor network that can interpret temperature, air pressure, and road surface conditions.

“Air pressure range” controlled by FIA-approved sensor

Sandbichler first emphasized the strict control system for tire pressure. In Formula E, the FIA ​​has clearly defined minimum and maximum tire pressure limits, which are constantly monitored by sensors common to all cars.

“The minimum and maximum tire pressures are controlled by the FIA, and teams are free to set them as long as they are within those limits. Some drivers prefer to go right to the bottom, while others prefer to go towards the top,” said Sandbichler. If the tire pressure is outside the appropriate range, the FIA ​​may issue a warning or a penalty. This decision is supported by the advanced TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) that Hankook provides to all of its cars.

Meanwhile, Joos commented:

“The sensors collect multiple parameters, including not only air pressure but also rim temperature and humidity. The FIA ​​keeps track of the values ​​for all vehicles in real time, ensuring fairness.”

These sensors allow each team to view only their own car’s data, but the FIA ​​and Hancock have a system in place that allows them to comprehensively monitor data from all vehicles.

Proper temperature control is the key to success in the race

The working window of the tires, or the optimum temperature range, is also directly linked to performance. Sandbichler had this to say about the temperature range of the tires:

“Slick tires used in Formula 1 and other races can reach temperatures of over 100-110°C, but our iON Race tires are kept at double-digit temperatures. However, they are still hotter than those used in production cars.”

While the normal operating temperature range for typical commercial vehicle tyres is roughly between 40 and 50°C, Formula E requires stable performance at temperatures higher than that. If tyres do not reach this optimum temperature, they will not be able to exert their grip, and conversely, if they overheat, they will deteriorate prematurely.

Ultimate responsiveness required with a single specification

Sandbichler added: “Temperature is always key to managing. Drivers are very sensitive to getting their tyres into the right temperature range, which also affects their driving line and braking.”

Hankook’s iON Race for the GEN3 Evo features advanced air pressure control technology and a temperature optimization strategy, and works in cooperation with the FIA ​​to achieve both safety and performance. The “invisible battle” between air pressure and temperature is at the forefront of modern tire development in motorsports.

Related reading

“A World Championship Race You Can Visit by Train” – The thrill of seeing and hearing about it in the pits at the Formula E Tokyo E-Prix

The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship “Tokyo E-Prix,” rounds 8 and 9 of the 2024/2025 season, was held at Odaiba in Tokyo on May 17th and 18th. We visited the pit of the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E team, which will be competing in Formula E from 2019, to cover the event.