iON Race Rises to the High-Altitude Challenge at Formula E’s Iconic 2026 Hankook Mexico City E-Prix

- iON Race met the demands of Formula E’s highest-altitude circuit, delivering control and consistency throughout the 2026 Hankook Mexico City E-Prix
- Nick Cassidy secured victory for Citroën in a race shaped by energy management, strategy, and tire performance
- Performance data from Mexico City adds valuable reference points for Hankook’s ongoing iON EV tire development

Seoul, Korea, January 12, 2026 — The 2026 Hankook Mexico City E-Prix wrapped up amid a vibrant, festival-like atmosphere, as Round 2 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship Season 12 concluded at the iconic Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. As the championship’s exclusive tire partner and title sponsor of the event, Hankook Tire & Technology Co., Ltd., a global leading tire company of Hankook & Company Group (Chairman HyunBum Cho) supported the grid at one of Formula E’s most celebrated venues, where high altitude, passionate fans, and intense racing once again defined the Mexico City experience.

Competing at more than 2,200 meters above sea level, the Mexico City circuit represents the highest-altitude race on the Formula E calendar, presenting a unique challenge for drivers and teams alike. Reduced air density placed additional emphasis on energy efficiency, cooling performance, and tire thermal management, while the circuit’s character amplified the importance of consistency and control throughout the race.

In Formula E’s 150th race, shaped by tire performance and energy control, Nick Cassidy secured Citroën’s maiden victory, ahead of Edoardo Mortara (Mahindra Racing) and Oliver Rowland (Nissan).

The Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez combines long, high-speed straights with heavy braking zones before the field dives into the Foro Sol stadium section, where tight, technical corners unfold in front of packed grandstands. The layout also incorporates the legendary Peraltada curve, demanding precise balance as drivers transitioned between fast open sections and the technical infield. Track evolution, altitude effects, and ambient conditions added further complexity, steadily influencing grip levels and tire temperatures over the race distance.

Throughout the event, Hankook supplied all teams with its race-proven iON Race, providing a stable and reliable platform to balance outright performance with energy and heat management. The tire’s predictable warm-up characteristics and consistent grip enabled drivers to push confidently across both fast and technical sectors. As conditions evolved, the iON Race maintained a steady contact footprint and effective thermal control, supporting strategic flexibility without compromising balance.

“Mexico City once again proved how decisive stable tire behavior is at high altitude,” said Manfred Sandbichler, Senior Director of Hankook Motorsport. “Across a race that demanded constant adaptation, the iON Race delivered the confidence and consistency teams needed to manage energy, temperature, and balance under challenging conditions.”

With Round 2 complete in Mexico City, the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship now turns its attention to Round 3 of Season 12, the Miami E-Prix, scheduled for 31 January 2026. The race will take place at the Miami International Autodrome located within Hard Rock Stadium complex in Miami Gardens, on a layout defined by a mix of high-speed sections and technical corners.