Premium tyre manufacturer Hankook successfully wrapped up the opening round of the 2025 FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) with the “Rallye Monte Carlo”, held on January 26.
The “Rallye Monte Carlo” is infamous among drivers for its unpredictable course, featuring a mix of snow, ice, dry, and damp surfaces. During this year’s event, competitors battled it out in intense rallying over four days, covering a total distance of 1,630 kilometers.
After an intense rally, the season’s first victory for the WRC1 class was claimed by Sébastien Ogier and Vincent Landais of the Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team. They secured the win by driving the vehicle equipped with Hankook tarmac rally tyre, the Ventus Z215, and snow rally tyre, the Winter i*cept SR20. This achievement also marked a historic milestone for Sébastien Ogier, who celebrated his record-breaking 10th triumph at the Monte Carlo Rallye.
Through the opening round, Hankook, as the exclusive supplier of rally tyres, showcased its tarmac and snow rally tyres, expertly engineered for challenging road conditions. This not only demonstrated the company’s cutting-edge technology but also reaffirmed the premium status of its global integrated brand, “Hankook,” solidifying its position as a top-tier brand to motorsports fans worldwide.
In particular, the tarmac rally tyre Ventus Z215 along with the snow rally tyre Winter i*cept SR20, received high praise from drivers and event officials. These rally tyres demonstrated exceptional grip and durability, ensuring stability and delivering outstanding rallying performance even in the harshest winter conditions.
Unlike circuit racing, which takes place on paved tracks, WRC events challenge drivers to navigate from a designated start to a finish point through rugged terrains, including paved and unpaved roads, snow-covered paths, and muddy tracks. These harsh conditions make durable, high-performing tyres one of the most critical strategic elements of the competition.
Starting with the 2025 season, Hankook will exclusively supply rally tyres for all WRC classes over the next three years, reinforcing its position as a global leader in cutting-edge technology. To meet the rigorous demands of WRC, the company has conducted more than 2,000 kilometers of testing across eight countries since 2023, developing FIA-certified high-performance rally tyres that are engineered to deliver optimal performance in the most extreme driving conditions.
The ‘2025 WRC’ will feature 14 rounds across 16 countries, from January to November, starting with the iconic ‘Rallye Monte Carlo.’ The second round, ‘WRC Rally Sweden,’ is scheduled to take place from February 13 to 16. This rally is the only WRC event where the entire course is covered in snow and ice, presenting a unique and formidable challenge for drivers.
Source: Tyretradenews
