Press Release

  • Motorsport

Traction the order of the day at the Lausitzring

Rarely has a DTM season started in such spectacular fashion as at the Hockenheimring a fortnight ago. Fans were treated to hard-fought battles and exciting overtaking manoeuvres in both races. In race two, they witnessed an incredible two-way battle for the lead, with Timo Glock eventually emerging victorious. After his win, the BMW driver succinctly said that the real winner was the DTM – a statement that also applies to the race tyre provided by exclusive DTM partner Hankook. In high temperatures and on one of the most difficult tracks in the DTM, the drivers battling for the lead were right on the limit at all times. Thankfully, they were able to rely on the high grip level and consistency of the Ventus Race right through to the finish.
Traction the order of the day at the Lausitzring

Klettwitz/Germany, 15th May 2018 – This weekend, round two of the DTM sees the Lausitzring host races three and four of the year on the 4.570-kilometre Grand Prix Circuit. This new layout is technically demanding, while the smooth and fine-pored asphalt offers little grip. With 14 corners and only a few straights, the Hankook race tyres must provide plenty of traction in the winding sections, as the aerodynamic downforce generated by the DTM cars was reduced by one third at the start of the season.

“As it is not permitted to pre-heat a new set of tyres, the cold air pressure must be set correctly after a pit stop. Only then is it possible to heat the Ventus Race to the ideal working temperature quickly. That is very important on the smooth surface at the Lausitzring, as the downforce at the front of the car has been reduced, making the mechanical grip generated by the tyres of vital importance,” says Hankook’s Chief Engineer, Thomas Baltes.

The uneven track surface, particularly at the end of the top-speed sections, makes braking into sharp corners difficult. Bumps cause the front of the cars to ‘bounce’ up and down. This uncontrolled pitching motion has earned the Lausitzring the nickname “Buckelpiste” – German for “Mogul Run” – from some drivers.

Hankook’s Chief Engineer: “A balanced car set-up is vital at the Lausitzring. If the set-up is too aggressive, the drivers have issues with bouncing. If the set-up is too defensive, there could be a lack of grip on the smooth surface. As the cars no longer generate as much aerodynamic downforce, teams can drive closer to the limit as far as the tyres are concerned.”

Hankook Tire manufactures globally innovative, award-winning radial tyres of proven superior quality for passenger cars, light trucks, SUVs, RVs, trucks, and buses as well as motorsports (circuit racing/street circuits/rallies).

Aspiring to bring consumers the utmost excellence in product quality, technological excellence and driving satisfaction, Hankook Tire continuously invests in research and development maintaining five R&D centres and eight production facilities around the world. Bespoke tyre solutions for the European markets as well as European Original Equipment according to the requirements of leading premium car manufacturers, are developed in the company’s regional Technical Centre in Hanover/Germany. Production for the European region is taking place in the state-of-the-art manufacturing site in Rácalmás/Hungary which was inaugurated in June 2007 and is continuously being expanded.

Hankook Tire’s European headquarters are located in Neu-Isenburg near Frankfurt am Main in Germany. The manufacturer operates further branches in several European countries and sells its products through regional distributors in other local markets. Hankook Tire employs approximately 20,000 people worldwide and sells products in over 160 countries. The company has been the technical partner and exclusive tyre supplier of the Generation 3 for the FIA ABB Formula E World Championship since 2023. Internationally leading car manufacturers rely on tyres made by Hankook for their original equipment. Approximately 38 percent of the company's global sales are generated within the European region.

For more information please visit www.hankooktire-mediacenter.com or www.hankooktire.com

Hankook Tire Europe GmbH | Marketing Communications Europe | Siemensstr. 14, 63263 Neu-Isenburg | Germany

all press releases

Downloads

Traction the order of the day at the Lausitzring

Motorsports: DTM Race Lausitzring, Saison 2017 - 2. Event Hockenheimring, GER, # 36 Maxime Martin (BEL, BMW Team RBM, BMW M4 DTM), # 22 Lucas Auer (AUT, HWA AG, Mercedes-AMG C63 DTM)

File size: 1 MB

Traction the order of the day at the Lausitzring

File size: 1 MB

Traction the order of the day at the Lausitzring

Motorsports: DTM Race Lausitzring, Saison 2017 - 2. Event Hockenheimring, GER, # 16 Timo Glock (GER, BMW Team RMR, BMW M4 DTM)

File size: 1 MB

Traction the order of the day at the Lausitzring

Motorsports: DTM Race Lausitzring, Saison 2017 - 2. Event Hockenheimring, GER, # 36 Maxime Martin (BEL, BMW Team RBM, BMW M4 DTM), # 2 Gary Paffett (GBR, HWA AG, Mercedes-AMG C63 DTM), # 33 Rene Rast (GER, Audi Sport Team Rosberg, Audi RS5 DTM)

File size: 1 MB

Traction the order of the day at the Lausitzring

Motorsports: DTM Race Lausitzring, Saison 2017 - 2. Event Hockenheimring, GER # 33 Rene Rast (GER, Audi Sport Team Rosberg, Audi RS5 DTM)

File size: 1 MB

Traction the order of the day at the Lausitzring

Motorsports: DTM Race Lausitzring, Saison 2017 - 2. Event, GER, # 22 Lucas Auer (AUT, HWA AG, Mercedes-AMG C63 DTM)

File size: 1 MB

Traction the order of the day at the Lausitzring

Motorsports: DTM race Hockenheimring, Saison 2018 - 1. Event Hockenheimring, GER

File size: 1 MB

Contacts

Sabine Riedel

PR Manager Marketing Communications

 +49 (0) 6102 8149-178

Sabine Riedel

PR Manager Marketing Communications

 +49 (0) 6102 8149-178

Lisa Schmid

PR Manager Marketing Communications

+49 (0) 6102 8149-172

Alexander Nevinny-Stickel

PR Manager Marketing Communications

+49 (0) 6102 8149-173

Annika Malcherek

Annika Malcherek

Digital Lead Marketing Communications

+49 (0) 6102 8149-176

Stefan Prohaska

Stefan Prohaska

Digital Marketing Communications

 +49 (0) 6102 8149-171

Subscribe to the Hankook press releases