NXT Gen Cup extends tyre partnership with Hankook for 2025
NXT Gen Cup will retain its close partnership with premium tyre manufacturer Hankook, which will once again serve as the official tyre supplier for the 2025 season.
Since the development of the championship’s purpose‑built car in 2022, Hankook has drawn on its extensive expertise in performance road tyres and electric‑vehicle compounds to equip the NXT Gen Cup grid with ultra high performance motorsport tyres. Their experience from various motorsport series and high‑performance road applications has been instrumental in delivering consistent grip and durability for the all‑electric junior touring car series.
For 2025, the LRT NXT1 race car—based on the MINI Cooper SE road car—will continue to compete on Hankook tyres. Designed to perform equally well on demanding circuits and public roads, these tyres ensure optimal balance between traction, handling and wear.
“We’re delighted to have Hankook on board for a third consecutive season,” said Fredrik Lestrup, founder and series manager of NXT Gen Cup. “From day one, Hankook has shared our vision of a sustainable, performance‑driven platform for young drivers. Their tyres have proven perfectly matched to the LRT NXT1’s electric powertrain, and their ongoing commitment to environmental innovation makes this partnership an ideal fit.”
“The success of NXT Gen Cup shows that innovative and all-electric racing series have fully arrived in motorsport. We are proud to support the young drivers of this exciting racing series with our tyres for the third season in a row. As a partner of NXT Gen Cup and Formula E, we are driving the development of e-mobility,” said Manfred Sandbichler, Senior Director Motorsport, Hankook Tire Europe.
In addition to the Ventus TD, Hankook will showcase its iON EV tyre family at each NXT Gen Cup event. Developed using data from its role as official tyre supplier to the FIA Formula E World Championship, the iON EV range delivers enhanced range, grip and structural rigidity—meeting the unique demands of electric vehicles in a variety of conditions.
The 2025 NXT Gen Cup season begins at Motorsport Arena Oschersleben on 25–27 April, featuring a full 18-driver grid. The calendar includes four race weekends between April and August.
Learn more about NXT Gen Cup and Hankook
2025 NXT Gen Cup Calendar
25-27 April - Oschersleben - Germany
04-06 July - Norisring - Germany
08-10 August - Nürburgring - Germany
22-24 August - Sachsenring - Germany
19-20 September - Swedish Junior Championship - Mantorp Park - Sweden
About NXT Gen Cup
The NXT Gen Cup is the world’s first 100% electric junior touring car cup where young female and male drivers race the LRT NXT1, a fully electric race car based on the MINI Cooper SE road car - engineered and built by Lestrup Racing Team. The series races together with DTM and is organised through an “arrive and drive” concept, enabling the junior drivers to focus on driving and creating the foundation for a professional racing career.
About DTM
DTM is Europe’s premier and best-known racing series and celebrated its 40th birthday in 2024. As one of the most competitive racing series, DTM features seven prestigious brands in its anniversary season. The DTM has a German core, but a strong international fan base. Races are broadcasted live in 150 territories. The series is also a leader in sustainable motorsport. For the second season, all cars are powered by a sustainable fuel made of 50% renewable components. Not only the cars racing in DTM are in the centre of sustainable projects. For the events itself the ADAC as promoter of the DTM offers innovations like an initiative to reduce plastic waste and a digital carpool solution, which has been recognised and awarded by the FIA.