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Hankook appears determined to become F1's next tyre supplier. The South Korean company has joined Pirelli in responding to the FIA's tender for the role of official tyre supplier starting in 2020.
Auto Motor und Sport reports that experienced F1 engineer Hirohide Hamashima, formerly of Bridgestone, has been retained as a consultant. The FIA is said to be impressed with Hankook's headquarters in Daejeon, having passed the first technical stage of the tender process.
"Now there is the commercial discussion with F1," Pirelli boss Mario Isola revealed at Sochi.
Hankook is also preparing to develop and test its proposed 2020 tyres on the track. The Korean company has reportedly bought a Cosworth-powered 2011 Williams car and a converted Formula 2 car, and retained the services of a former Formula E test driver.
Pirelli's Isola says he doesn't know how long the FIA will take to make its decision: "There is no deadline for that so I cannot tell you how long it will last," he said.
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Replies (4)
Login to replyf1dave
Posts: 782
How serious are they I wonder ?
1 former Formula E test driver
2 seven year old Williams car
3 former Bridgestone consultant
But they do have a nice office building.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
I think it adds up. Old F1 car, and former driver and consultant or not, it sounds like they are commiting to this challenge.
samuelw
Posts: 21
2011 car makes sence. with v8 cosworth. cheaper to operate and run compared to hybrid car and not that much diff in speed. maybe they will muel the car like the 2016 cars? for 2017 tyre test?
RogerF1
Posts: 501
And massively less chance of a DNF to make sure the pile in the km/miles. Sounds good to me, not many lovers of Pirelli in F1 fan base.
For Hankook a potentially massive global exposure and has to be worth a good offer.