Hankook Tire has launched a strategic brand film that forges a direct link between the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship and the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC). This narrative leverages Hankook’s exclusive status as the tyre supplier for both premier FIA series to demonstrate its technological breadth. The film’s core concept is an immersive driver exchange, featuring Maximilian Günther of the DS Penske Formula E Team and Adrien Fourmaux of the Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team. The two drivers swap their respective machines – the all-electric GEN3 Evo race car and the Hyundai i20 N Rally1 rally car – to gain a firsthand understanding of each other's discipline.

The production highlights this contrast by featuring dynamic, side-by-side footage of the specific tyres engineered for each challenge: the GEN3 Evo iON Race electric racing tyre and the extreme all-weather Dynapro R213 rally tyre. This visual comparison serves to underscore Hankook’s claim of race-proven performance and versatility across fundamentally different motorsport environments. The experience of the drivers in unfamiliar cars provides an authentic testament to the tyre technology, a point reinforced by positive feedback from representatives of both championships regarding Hankook’s cross-discipline capabilities.

The film, which includes a surprise cameo from Hankook’s Motorsport Director Manfred Sandbichler to signal the start of the action, is part of a broader content rollout. It will be supported by behind-the-scenes footage and short-form content, released in stages across Hankook’s global website and social media channels. This initiative is a showcase of Hankook’s extensive global motorsport involvement, which includes supplying tyres for over 70 FIA-sanctioned competitions. The data and insights harvested from these extreme conditions are channelled into the company’s advanced R&D infrastructure, including the Technoplex headquarters and the Hankook Technoring proving ground, to accelerate technological innovation and solidify its leadership in the tyre market.

Günther said, “I had full confidence in delivering a strong run thanks to Hankook’s exceptional grip and stability.”

Fourmaux said, “The tyres delivered consistent grip and sharp responsiveness at high speed, enabling me to approach the race with complete composure.”

Arne Dirks, Chief Marketing Officer of WRC Promoter GmbH, said, “WRC embraces innovation, and from the outset, that is exactly what this project has been about. It was fantastic for us to be able to join Formula E, to get insights into their world and share with them the thrill of WRC. This, of course, would not have been possible without Hankook, with whom we are continuing to grow and evolve in the first year of our fruitful relationship.”

“It is a rare and exciting opportunity to see cars from two of the FIA's World Championships taking to the same track at the same time. This video really demonstrates the impressive variety in terms of format and technologies that are offered in top-level FIA competitions, with innovation tailored specifically to the unique challenges of racing and rallying environments. It goes to show that there is not one single solution when it comes to either racing or the wider mobility landscape, and that the core DNA of motor sport is consistent regardless of the category. Thanks to our colleagues at Hankook, Formula E, WRC Promoter and Hyundai for making it happen," said an FIA spokesperson.

Alberto Longo, Co-Founder and Chief Championship Officer, Formula E, said, “As the world’s most progressive and competitive motorsport, Formula E has always been bold and ambitious in its approach to success. What has been central in our DNA, however, is pushing the boundaries of performance. What this film demonstrates is that not only are we here to disrupt and innovate but develop world-leading expertise and new technologies.”

Manfred Sandbichler, Director, Hankook Motorsport, said, “Hankook's technology and quality, trusted by leading motorsports entities such as Formula E and WRC, continue to deliver outstanding performance. Like our motorsports slogan, 'Race Beyond Limits', we remain committed to innovation and the ultimate driving experience.”

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Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd (SRI) has entered a significant virtual partnership, becoming the official tyre partner for ‘Gran Turismo 7’ driving simulator for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 and the ‘Gran Turismo World Series’. This new alliance was formally announced at a September 2025 event held in Berlin, Germany.

This strategic move is a key component of the company’s brand strategy focused on the Dunlop name, which falls under its broader ‘R.I.S.E. 2035’ corporate vision. The partnership follows SRI's January 2025 acquisition of the global Dunlop trademark rights for four-wheel tyres in key regions, allowing for a unified global brand presence.

The collaboration will see Dunlop integrated into the game in several immersive ways. Following a future update, the brand will be featured within the ‘Brand Central’ museum, presenting its 130-year heritage and motorsport history. The Dunlop logo will also appear as trackside advertising on in-game circuits. Furthermore, players will be able to equip their vehicles with Dunlop tyres through the ‘Tuning Shop’ to enhance performance. An exclusive Dunlop-themed time trial event is also planned to celebrate the partnership.

By aligning with the critically acclaimed Gran Turismo franchise, a leader in racing simulators since 1997, Sumitomo Rubber aims to connect with a global audience of passionate gamers and automotive enthusiasts, strengthening the Dunlop brand's perception for innovation and performance in the digital realm.

Kazunori Yamauchi, Gran Turismo Series Producer, said, “We are very excited to welcome Dunlop to the Gran Turismo family. As a company with a significant legacy in automotive and motorsport history, Dunlop continues to demonstrate innovation and competitiveness in the industry. We look forward to a productive collaboration to engage a new generation of enthusiasts with racing and Dunlop tyres through the Gran Turismo World Series and franchise.”

Hiroshi Hamada, Senior Executive Officer, Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd., said, “We at Dunlop are truly honoured to be part of Gran Turismo, a title that continues to captivate motorsports fans around the world. Gran Turismo is pioneering new possibilities in motorsports by bridging the real and virtual worlds. Its outstanding technological capabilities, passion and meticulous attention to detail deeply resonate with our own manufacturing philosophy, and we see great value in this partnership. For over a century, Dunlop has been actively involved in motorsports, building a strong track record across racing scenes worldwide. By combining our accumulated experience with cutting-edge simulation technologies, we are driving the development of high-performance and sustainable tyres. Through this partnership, we aim to further enhance the value of the Dunlop brand and contribute to the future of motorsports.”

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Hankook Tire has been formally recognised for its extensive corporate social responsibility efforts in Hungary, receiving the Community Contribution Award at the inaugural CSR Awards for Korean Companies in Hungary. The ceremony, hosted in Budapest by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Hungary in partnership with KOTRA and HIPA, celebrated the positive social impact of Korean businesses operating within the country.

The company’s longstanding commitment to Hungary dates back to the 2006 establishment of its local factory. A cornerstone of its efforts is the Hankook Value Creation Programme, initiated in 2012, which has provided over 28,000 tyres to more than 2,800 non-profit organisations. This support has been crucial for entities like the Hungarian National Ambulance Service and the Hungarian Red Cross, enabling them to operate more safely and effectively.

Beyond tyre donations, Hankook Tire has made significant investments in local healthcare. Its partnership with St. Pantaleon Hospital in Dunaújváros began in 2019 with a donation of advanced ventilators and continued through the pandemic with critical protective equipment. Recent contributions include funding for a new nurse call system in the surgical ward and a financial donation to renovate the children’s ward. These cumulative efforts were honoured when the hospital presented Hankook with its first-ever ‘Outstanding Sponsor Award’.

The company’s community engagement extends to a wide range of localised projects. These include an employee volunteer programme for infrastructure improvements, aid for underprivileged households and scholarships for young students. As part of its global CSR strategy, Hankook Tire implements similar comprehensive social contribution programmes across its international operations, focusing on talent development, employment opportunities for people with disabilities, traffic safety and environmental restoration.

Ho Taek Lim, Managing Director of Hankook Tire Hungary Plant, said, "This award represents a meaningful achievement made possible by the voluntary participation of our employees and close collaboration with local community organisations. Hankook Tire will continue to make dedicated efforts as a responsible corporate citizen to achieve sustainable growth together with the community, particularly by contributing to future generations.”

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In a major motorsport achievement, a car equipped with Yokohama Rubber's flagship ADVAN tyres claimed an impressive overall victory at the eighth round of the 2025 Nurburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS) on 14 September 2025. The demanding endurance race served as a powerful demonstration of the ADVAN tyre line's exceptional grip and resilience under extreme conditions.

The winning car, the Number 6 Ford Mustang GT3 from Haupt Racing Team (HRT), competed in the premier SP9 Pro category with drivers Vincent Kolb and Frank Stippler. Overcoming a 10th-place qualifying position, the vehicle quickly advanced to third on the opening lap. It engaged in an intense battle among the leaders for much of the event before capitalising on a competitor's error to seize the lead with just three laps remaining. The Mustang then maintained a commanding pace, ultimately crossing the finish line over two minutes ahead of the second-place finisher. This triumph marks HRT's first win of the current NLS season and the first for a Ford vehicle in a decade.

Yokohama Rubber's ongoing partnership with HRT involves supplying ADVAN A005 dry-condition and A006 wet-condition tyres for the series. This latest victory builds on a previous SP9 PRO-AM class (4th place overall) win for an HRT ADVAN-equipped car at the renowned ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring in June. Success in these two exceptionally challenging endurance events offers strong validation of the ADVAN brand's superior performance capabilities and significantly strengthens its global reputation.

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Pirelli has successfully completed its initial on-track test of prototype MotoGP tyres, marking a significant milestone in its preparations to become the championship’s exclusive supplier starting in 2027. The test took place at the Misano World Circuit, where conditions were predominantly sunny and dry, with track temperatures ranging from 25°C to 43°C. Development riders from all five competing manufacturers – Augusto Fernandez for Yamaha, Dani Pedrosa for KTM, Takaaki Nakagami for Honda, Lorenzo Savadori for Aprilia and Michele Pirro for Ducati – were present to provide initial performance feedback.

The primary objective of this session was to gather crucial data to guide the ongoing development and finalisation of both front and rear tyre characteristics. Pirelli coordinated the test’s run plan and parameters in close consultation with the manufacturers. Each test team was provided with seven sets of tyres, featuring two distinct front and three rear specifications, all conforming to the current MotoGP 17-inch rim sizes. To simulate the anticipated conditions of the 2027 season, which will introduce new 850 cc engines, the tests were conducted using modified current-season motorcycles. These bikes had their ride-height devices deactivated, were in some cases detuned and received specific aerodynamic adjustments to better align with the future machinery's expected performance profile.

All Pirelli MotoGP tyres will be manufactured at the company’s facility in Breuberg, Germany. This choice underscores a core philosophy of leveraging existing technologies and production processes to ensure project sustainability, uphold product quality and facilitate the transfer of racing-derived innovations to its road-going motorcycle tyres.

Furthermore, Pirelli’s new five-year agreement with Dorna extends beyond the premier class. The company will continue as the sole tyre supplier for the Moto2 and Moto3 World Championships through 2031 and will also remain the official supplier for the entire Road to MotoGP programme. This includes the FIM JuniorGP World Championship, the Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup, the Northern Talent Cup, the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup and the FIM MiniGP World Series. This comprehensive involvement solidifies Pirelli’s unprecedented position as the first tyre manufacturer to supply every class within the MotoGP World Championship and its most prestigious feeder series, highlighting a deep commitment to nurturing talent and promoting accessibility across the sport.

Giorgio Barbier, Pirelli's Motorcycle Racing Director, said, "The Misano test was the first step in our return to the World Championship, and we are very satisfied with both the excellent working relationship that has been struck up between our engineers and all the teams and riders of the Test Teams and the tyre performance. The test took place according to the run plan, which also included a Sprint race simulation, and the first feedback received is very encouraging – this test has generated a lot of data to be analysed in order to continue our development work of Pirelli MotoGP tyres. The most appreciated features are definitely grip, warm-up speed and confidence. We have decided to approach MotoGP with the same philosophy that has always distinguished us in motorcycle racing: the tyres will have to be dedicated exclusively to the premier class, because this is what the regulations require. We also want to exploit the technologies and processes consolidated over years of production with the triple objective of making our participation in this championship a virtuous example of sustainability in motorsport, offering a quality and homogeneous construction of the product and, last but not least, transferring more directly the technologies and know-how that we will develop in MotoGP to tyres intended for road use for the benefit of motorcyclists all around the world.”

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