Tempelhof Concrete Surface Set to Shape Tyre Strategy at 2026 Hankook Berlin E-Prix

- Rounds 7 and 8 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship Season 12 take place at Tempelhof Airport in Berlin on 2–3 May
- The 2.374 km Tempelhof Circuit’s abrasive concrete surface increases tyre wear and places added emphasis on energy management across two races
- Hankook’s iON Race is engineered to deliver consistent performance and reliable grip under high-abrasion conditions

Seoul, Korea, 30 April 2026 — Hankook Tire & Technology Co., Ltd. (hereafter Hankook) returns to one of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship’s most demanding venues as the series heads to Berlin for Rounds 7 and 8 of Season 12. The 2026 Hankook Berlin E-Prix will take place as a double-header on 2 and 3 May at the Tempelhof Airport Street Circuit, marking the championship’s twelfth consecutive visit to the German capital.

Berlin remains the only city to feature on the Formula E calendar in every season since the inaugural 2014/15 campaign. The 2.374 km anticlockwise Tempelhof Airport Street Circuit consists of 15 corners laid out on the concrete apron of the historic airport. Originally designed for aircraft operations, the surface is formed by concrete slabs that generate high levels of abrasion, accelerating tyre wear and placing a premium on both energy management and tyre preservation.

The double-header format adds further complexity for teams and drivers. With separate qualifying sessions and races held on consecutive days, maintaining consistent tyre performance across sessions will be a key factor. ATTACK MODE activation at Turn 2 introduces an additional strategic element, while the circuit’s flowing characteristics create frequent overtaking opportunities.

For Hankook, Tempelhof represents one of the season’s most demanding durability tests. The abrasive surface requires the iON Race to maintain stable grip and predictable handling across the race distance, even as the compound wears. Combined with typically mild early-May conditions, teams will need to balance performance and tyre longevity across both races.

“Berlin’s concrete surface is unlike any other venue on the Formula E calendar and presents a very specific set of demands on the tyre,” said Manfred Sandbichler, Senior Director of Hankook Motorsport. “The abrasive nature of the Tempelhof apron makes degradation management critical, and the double-header format adds further complexity. The iON Race is designed to provide a broad operating window, allowing teams to maintain consistency across two races.”

In addition to the on-track action, Hankook will engage fans throughout the weekend at the Hankook Fan Village booth within Formula E’s Fan Village. Visitors can take part in interactive activities and view displays of Hankook’s iON tyre lineup mounted on electric vehicles, offering a closer look at the company’s EV tyre technology.

The race weekend begins with Free Practice 1 on Friday, 1 May, followed by Round 7 on Saturday and Round 8 on Sunday.