Hankook Joins FIA's Elite Partners to Accelerate 'Track to Road' Tech

LONDON, UK – January 26, 2026 – The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), the global governing body for motor sport, has officially named leading tyre manufacturer Hankook as its newest Global Partner. The move formalizes a trusted three-year relationship and elevates the company into an exclusive network of organizations committed to advancing safety, sustainability, and innovation in both high-octane racing and everyday mobility.

This enhanced partnership places Hankook at the heart of the FIA's strategic initiatives. The tyre maker will become an Official Partner of the prestigious annual FIA Awards and, critically, the FIA Sustainable Innovation Series (SIS) from 2026 through 2028. This collaboration signals a deeper commitment from both organizations to leverage the demanding world of motor sport as a high-speed laboratory for the next generation of automotive technology.

FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem emphasized the alignment of their goals, stating, “Sustainability and technological innovation are at the heart of our missions at the FIA, so I am delighted to welcome Hankook as a new partner. This new partnership with Hankook reflects the global growth of our FIA Global Partner Programme, and through collaboration it will strengthen our work to make motorsport and mobility safer.”

A New Lap in Sustainable Innovation

The core of the partnership revolves around the 'track to road' philosophy, a concept where extreme engineering challenges in racing directly fuel advancements for consumer vehicles. Hankook is already deeply embedded in this process as the exclusive technical partner and tyre supplier for two of the FIA's premier championships: the all-electric ABB FIA Formula E World Championship and the rugged FIA World Rally Championship (WRC).

These two series represent the perfect proving grounds for future tyre technology. In Formula E, Hankook's iON Race tyre is a testament to this synergy. Composed of approximately 30 percent sustainable materials, including bio-sourced rubber, the tyre is engineered for the unique demands of electric vehicles—instant torque, heavy battery loads, and the need for extremely low rolling resistance to maximize range. The data and learnings from every race weekend provide invaluable insights that directly inform the development of Hankook's iON family of road tyres for consumer EVs, a market segment experiencing explosive growth.

This commitment extends beyond the racetrack. Hankook has set ambitious environmental targets, validated by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), aiming for a 46.2% reduction in manufacturing emissions and a 27.5% cut across its value chain by 2030, with a long-term goal of achieving Net Zero by 2050. The high-pressure environment of motorsport serves as an accelerator, pushing the company to innovate with recycled and renewable materials that can be scaled for mass production, supporting the industry's transition toward a circular economy.

The Strategic Grid: Positioning for Market Leadership

For Hankook, ascending to the FIA Global Partner Programme is a calculated strategic move with significant commercial implications. It's about more than just brand exposure; it's a play for technological supremacy and market leadership in a fiercely competitive industry. The partnership provides a powerful platform to showcase its technical prowess against rivals like Pirelli, the long-time exclusive supplier for Formula 1, and other giants such as Michelin and Goodyear, who also have deep roots in motorsport.

By securing exclusive supply rights for both the pinnacle of electric street racing (Formula E) and the ultimate all-terrain challenge (WRC), Hankook has carved out a unique R&D niche. It is simultaneously mastering the future of electric mobility and the art of extreme durability. The innovations required for a WRC tyre to withstand gravel, tarmac, snow, and ice at blistering speeds directly inform the development of more robust and safer all-season and all-terrain tyres for SUVs and passenger cars.

“Through our expanding Global Partner Programme, the FIA is working alongside leading international organisations that share our commitment to driving innovation, sustainability, and safety,” noted Craig Edmondson, Chief Commercial Officer of the FIA. This exclusive club of partners, which includes other global titans, offers unparalleled networking and influence. For Hankook, it reinforces its image as a premium, forward-thinking brand, a perception crucial for competing in the high-value tyre segment and for securing lucrative original equipment contracts with leading automakers.

Engineering the Future of Mobility

Beyond the immediate benefits for motorsport and brand positioning, this alliance is firmly planted in the FIA's broader vision for the future of global mobility. The FIA, founded in 1904, represents millions of road users worldwide and has a mandate that extends far beyond the racetrack. The partnership with Hankook is a key component of its strategy to foster industry-wide progress.

The FIA Sustainable Innovation Series (SIS), where Hankook will now be an Official Partner, is a cornerstone of this effort. The SIS acts as a global think tank, convening industry leaders, engineers, and policymakers alongside major motorsport events to discuss and accelerate the transfer of 'track to road' technologies. This focus ensures that the billions invested in racing yield tangible benefits for public safety, environmental responsibility, and transportation efficiency.

Jongho Park, President & COO of Hankook Tire Europe, captured this shared vision: “The FIA and Hankook share the belief that technological innovation can only be effective on a sustained basis if it combines safety, fairness and responsibility. As Global Partner of the FIA, we want to use our expertise in technology and sustainable tyre development to drive the mobility of the future – in motorsport and beyond.”

Ultimately, this collaboration is designed to create a virtuous cycle. Motorsport pushes the boundaries of what's possible in tyre performance and material science. Hankook translates these lessons into safer, more efficient, and more sustainable products for everyday drivers. The FIA, in turn, uses its platform to promote these advancements, helping to shape global standards and build a smarter, cleaner, and safer transportation ecosystem for all.