Press Release

  • Motorsport

Hard braking and bumps aplenty on the iconic street circuit in Nuremberg

The first third of the 2019 DTM season is behind us and the changes to the series have already paid dividends. The big winners are the fans, who have so far enjoyed thoroughly exciting qualifying sessions and spectacular races, often with a totally unexpected outcome. Armed with the new turbo engine, generating over 600 hp, and lighter cars, the drivers are making arguably the most popular international touring car series the fastest DTM ever. The race tyre supplied by premium tyre maker Hankook is another guarantee that spectators will be treated to thrilling motorsport at every DTM weekend. Unlike the cars, the Ventus Race has not been changed. However, despite the significantly greater strain it is under, the tyre continues to impress with its consistently strong performance.
Hard braking and bumps aplenty on the iconic street circuit in Nuremberg

Nuremberg/Germany, 2nd July 2019 – The DTM’s second foreign excursion to Misano three weeks ago showed that the race tyre supplied by exclusive DTM partner Hankook is capable of withstanding even the most extreme loads it is subjected to by the new generation of cars. Despite track temperatures of around 46 degrees, the Ventus Race maintained a high grip level. Marco Wittmann (BMW) completed 38 laps of Saturday’s 39-lap race on one set of Hankook tyres, a courageous tactic that allowed him to take a stunning victory.

“The Ventus Race did a great job throughout the entire DTM weekend in Misano – in free practice, qualifying and the races themselves. The running surface was put under quite a lot of strain in the high temperatures and on aggressive asphalt. However, that did not affect the tactics employed by the drivers. They were able to drive their race, and received optimal support from the Hankook tyre,” says Thomas Baltes, the Hankook race engineer responsible for the DTM.

It could be hot again this weekend at the Norisring in Nuremberg, the venue for round four of this season’s DTM. However, the challenge facing the Hankook race tyre will be considerably less than last time out in Misano. The track at the only street circuit in Germany, which is usually used by everyday traffic, has been repaired many times, and consequently consists of various different surfaces. However, the different types of asphalt are smooth and cohesive, meaning no premature tyre wear is expected.

Fast straights are followed by tight corners and sections, ahead of which the drivers must brake very hard – a feature of the “Franconian Monaco”. “The greater horsepower has led to wheelspin on the rear axle all season. That can cause the tyres to become hotter. However, it has not affected performance in any way. Should the fact that the surface is still dirty result in some slippery spots at the Norisring, particularly at the start of the weekend, then the amount of strain on the Ventus Race should still be limited,” the Hankook DTM race engineer explains.

The Norisring is infamous for its bumps, which cause the cars to ‘bounce’. This uncontrollable bobbing up and down, which is particularly prevalent at the front of the car, makes it difficult for the drivers to find the right braking point. It is vital for the drivers to find the right line on the narrow street circuit. Otherwise, this can result in an undesired contact with the wall, as has so often been the case on the exit from the “Schöller S”. Thomas Baltes: “You need a balanced set-up on the 2.3-kilometre circuit in Nuremberg. You have to find the right balance between aggression and safety, then the Hankook race tyre will perform at its best.”

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

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Hard braking and bumps aplenty on the iconic street circuit in Nuremberg

René Rast, Jamie Green, Augusta Farfus, Robin Frijns *** Local Caption *** +++ www.hoch-zwei.net +++ copyright: HOCH ZWEI +++

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Hard braking and bumps aplenty on the iconic street circuit in Nuremberg

Nürnberg: DTM Norisring 2018, Nürnberg on June, 24, 2018, (Photo by Hoch Zwei) Lucas Auer ( AUT, Mercedes HWA AG )Daniel Juncadella ( ESP, Mercedes HWA AG ) Start

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Hard braking and bumps aplenty on the iconic street circuit in Nuremberg

Nürnberg: DTM Norisring 2018, Nürnberg on June, 23, 2018, (Photo by Hoch Zwei) Robin Frijns ( NED, Audi Sport Team Abt )

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Hard braking and bumps aplenty on the iconic street circuit in Nuremberg

Nürnberg: DTM Norisring 2018, Nürnberg on June, 23, 2018, (Photo by Hoch Zwei) Fan Village, Hopitality

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Hard braking and bumps aplenty on the iconic street circuit in Nuremberg

Nürnberg: DTM Norisring 2018, Nürnberg on June, 22, 2018, (Photo by Hoch Zwei) Marco Wittmann ( D, BMW Team RMG )

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Hard braking and bumps aplenty on the iconic street circuit in Nuremberg

Aral Ultimate Audi RS 5 DTM #4 (Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline), Robin Frijns

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

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