Ahead of this weekend’s 2023 Hankook London E-Prix, British Formula E driver Jake Hughes set a new indoor land speed record in a modified Gen3 car. This ‘GenBeta’ prototype generates up to 400 KW and delivers it to the track via modified Hankook iON Race tyres. Hughes called upon this power to clock a new milestone of 135.9 mph (218.71 km/h) on a 346-metre indoor straight. Confirmation from an official Guinness World Records adjudicator ensures Formula E and Hankook will take their place in the famous book.
Official ABB FIA Formula E World Championship tyre partner Hankook Tire claims to have played a “fundamental role” in achieving this new record, specifically modifying its Hankook iON Race development tyre for the record attempt. Hankook used a softer compound that hastens heat build-up within the tyre that reaches an optimal working temperature more rapidly than is possible with the tyres Hankook supplied to this season’s Formula E world championship.
NEOM McLaren driver Jake Hughes achieved a record-breaking 135.9 mph (Photo: Hankook)
Quick grip a key to success
“What a great project and a magnificent record. We are delighted to have played an important part with our Hankook tyre, and that together we were able to smash the previous record by more than 50 km/h. The modified compound allowed the tyre to develop a lot of grip very quickly, which was one of the keys to this success,” says Manfred Sandbichler, motorsport director Europe at Hankook Tire.
The world record attempt took place at the venue for the 2023 Hankook London E-Prix, a unique indoor and outdoor racetrack at the ExCeL London Event Arena. At the end of this weekend’s finale of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, Formula E will crown its 2023 world champion.
