Tough test for Hankook Race tyres on the Ardennes hills

For Hankook Ventus Race tires, the "Ardennes rollercoaster" is the most serious test on the entire 24H powered by Hankook calendar. The 7,004-kilometer Spa-Francorchamps circuit winds its way through the Ardennes and features a thrilling sequence of turns, long straights, and undulating sections.

Manfred Sandbichler, Director of Hankook Motorsport Europe, commented that the large elevation changes require high compression values. Additionally, drivers take some turns very fast, which creates enormous gravitational force. This combination places a high load on the tire construction. However, in the past, the Ventus Race tires have always coped with this challenge.

Temperature fluctuations are particularly treacherous on the "Ardennes rollercoaster", as the track passes through forests in some areas, and the temperature at this time of year can even be below zero. As with the Nürburgring, which is less than 100 kilometers away, some sections of the track cause the racing tires to cool down. This makes it difficult for drivers to maintain the ideal level of grip.

The challenging circuit lends itself to a conservative, tire-friendly setup with reduced toe-out. However, the "X-factor" at Spa-Francorchamps is always the weather. A racing weekend in the Ardennes without a single drop of rain is a rare occurrence. Since the track is relatively long and very hilly, drivers have to contend with the fact that in the event of rain, some sections will be wet and others dry. However, it is precisely these uncertainties that give Spa-Francorchamps its special charm, which last hosted a 24H powered by Hankook race in 2019.