Shanghai premiere for the Formula E World Championship and the Hankook iON Race

- Shanghai is now set to become the fourth Chinese venue to host the fully electric series
- The track in Shanghai, which is fast and flowing, will be another exciting challenge for Hankook iON Race
- Nico Müller expresses their excitement about the Shanghai premiere and shows his confidence toward Hankook iON Race’s performance

Seoul, Korea, May 22, 2024 – With 30 million inhabitants, Shanghai is the third largest city in the world – and the host of the next round of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship. Races 11 and 12 of the season will be held on May 25 and 26. See the series make its first appearance at the Shanghai International Circuit, which has regularly welcomed Formula 1 since 2004. Season 10 of Formula E enters the finish straight in Shanghai, with just two stops remaining after the trip to China – the double-headers in Portland (USA), and the finale, the Hankook E-Prix in London (GB).

After races in Beijing (2014 and 2015), Hong Kong (2016 to 2019), and Sanya (2019), Shanghai is now set to become the fourth Chinese venue to host the all-electric series. The Formula E layout at the Shanghai International Circuit to the northwest of the city is 3.051 kilometers long and features 12 corners – seven right-handers and five left turns – which 22 drivers must negotiate.

Manfred Sandbichler, Hankook Motorsport Director said, “It is fantastic that Formula E is back in China. The metropolis is a very important market for Hankook and e-mobility in general. We are looking forward to the premiere at Shanghai International Circuit, which is known around the world for hosting many Formula 1 races and is now part of the Formula E calendar. The track is fast and flowing and will be another exciting challenge for our Hankook iON Race.”

The world championship arrives in China with a new leader: victory in the Saturday race and second place on Sunday at the Berlin E-Prix saw New Zealand’s Nick Cassidy (Jaguar TCS Racing) moving ahead of his German rival Pascal Wehrlein (TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team) and into the championship lead with 140 points. Wehrlein trails the leader by 16 points, followed by Britain’s Oliver Rowland (Nissan Formula E Team) with 118 points.

Maximilian Günther (D/Maserati MSG Racing) said, “I am very excited about a new circuit and my first races in Shanghai. The long straights and fast corners make a very flowing layout with good overtaking opportunities. I prefer fast races, so I am very much looking forward to the E-Prix. Energy and tire management will again be an important factor in the race. With the long turn one and the fast passages in the middle sector, I can imagine that the Shanghai International Circuit could be one of the most demanding tracks for the Hankook iON Race.”

Nico Müller (CH/ABT Cupra Formula E Team) stated, “I am really pleased that Formula E is back racing in China after such a long time. I drove in Shanghai in 2017, but on a different layout. As such, the E-Prix is my second experience of Shanghai. The flowing track and slipstream effect will produce exciting racing. The tires are sure to be put to the test at this circuit, but they will be able to handle it. We now know very well how to work with the tires in order to take full advantage of their good performance.”

On Monday after the Berlin E-Prix, the Formula E rookies were able to take their place at the wheel of the Gen3 cars for the second time this season. Two to three-hour long sessions at Tempelhof Airport gave the youngsters plenty of opportunities to test the car and take full advantage of the performance of the Hankook iON Race. Israeli Robert Shwartzman from the DS Penske team was the top performer. The reserve driver for Ferrari in Formula 1 dominated and set the fastest time in both sessions.

Races nine and ten of the Formula E season in the German capital, Berlin, generated an exuberant atmosphere among the big crowds in the grandstands. The 22 drivers impressed fans with many wheel-to-wheel battles and overtakes at the disused Tempelhof Airport. Cassidy took victory in race one on Saturday before Portugal’s António Félix da Costa (TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team) won the Sunday race.

The most exciting and impressive images from Berlin can be found here in the Hankook Highlight Clip.

As well as on YouTube, regular news and information on Hankook’s involvement in Formula E can also be found on X and Instagram.

You can find the current Hankook Press Kit for the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, with a preview of the coming race weekend in Shanghai here.