The DTM championship has officially extended its current deal with sole tire supplier Hankook for another three years. A corresponding contract was signed today following the international DTM press conference for the opening of the season at the Hockenheim ring, which will see Germany’s premier tin-top series use the Korean supplier’s range of Ventus Race DTM tires until 2019.
“The trusting cooperation with Hankook, the performance capability of the company and its tire technology has led to us extending our partnership with Hankook,” said Hans Werner Aufrecht, chairman of DTM promoter ITR e.V. “With regard to further internationalization and future technical regulations, the professionalism which we have come to know and expect from our tire partner Hankook is a major factor.”
“DTM is the most successful touring car series internationally,” added Ho-Youl Pae, Hankook’s Head of Europe. “The direct involvement of the three premium manufacturers Audi, BMW and Mercedes Benz means that there is no similar power density anywhere else in motor sport, particularly at the highest technical level possible. We are proud that DTM will enter a new era from 2017 with us as their exclusive tyre manufacturer. We will continue to reinforce their trust in us.”
The tire maker has been active in international motorsports since 1992, and has participated in international motorsport circuit racing, amongst others, with DTM, the FIA Formula 3 European Championship, the 24 H Endurance Race or the TCR Series in Germany, Italy and Portugal, as well as diverse Formula 4 races.
With regard to the extended contract, Manfred Sandbichler, Hankook’s Motorsport Director Europe, said “DTM is one of the top class motor sport series from around the world. It attracts many hundreds of thousands of visitors to race tracks every year, and it is broadcast in more than 175 countries. DTM’s extension of the contract with Hankook is testament to our technological know-how with tires, which has been developed over 20 years of racing sport experience.”
