JEDDAH: South Korean tire company Hankook has its focus firmly on the Red Sea this weekend, as the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship arrives in Jeddah for the competition’s fourth and fifth rounds.

The Feb. 13-14 double-header will take place under the lights, with back-to-back night races at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit — which presents a challenge at the best of times.

Adapted from its Formula 1 configuration to better suit the demands of Formula E, the layout covers just over 3 km and blends long, fast straights and heavy braking zones with technical chicanes and hairpin turns.

At night, track temperature and surface conditions gradually evolve thanks to the absence of direct solar heating, influencing grip levels and thermal behavior across tire operating windows.

Hankook’s iON Race tire is engineered to deliver dependable grip under high loads while maintaining consistent thermal control and optimized rolling resistance — a critical balance in Formula E, where tire performance is closely linked to energy efficiency and race strategy.

This capability is particularly valuable on the streets of Jeddah, where sustained high-speed sections and frequent braking zones generate significant thermal demands. Night-race conditions call for a tire that can respond instantly while maintaining a consistent, predictable performance window throughout every session.

“The electrifying atmosphere of Jeddah under the lights adds another dimension to this already demanding circuit,” said Manfred Sandbichler, senior director of Hankook Motorsport.

“With high speeds, repeated braking zones, and shifting track conditions across the evening, tire stability and consistency become decisive factors. The iON Race is designed to give teams a reliable and predictable platform to perform at their best in both qualifying and race situations.”