Hankook has successfully concluded Round 3 of the 2025 FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), the premier motorsport competition sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), as the event’s exclusive tyre supplier. The iconic Safari Rally Kenya, renowned for its extreme and unpredictable terrain, marked another key milestone in the 2025 WRC season.
Held from 20th–23rd March, the Safari Rally Kenya is one of the most gruelling events on the WRC calendar. The rally challenges drivers with rugged unpaved roads and sudden weather shifts that create treacherous mud pits. In such harsh conditions, peak performance demands exceptional tyre durability and stability — critical factors that underscore Hankook’s contribution to each driver’s successful completion of the rally.
Hankook supported the stable operation of the event with its multi-purpose rally tyre, the Dynapro R213, which demonstrated outstanding reliability amid unpredictable weather and demanding terrain conditions. Developed through the relentless motorsports R&D efforts led by Hyunbum Cho, Chairman of Hankook & Company Group, the tyre once again proved its competitive edge on the global motorsports arena with outstanding grip and precise handling.
After a gruelling showdown across Kenya’s wild terrain, Toyota GAZOO Racing World Rally Team’s Elfyn Evans and co-driver Scott Martin claimed victory in the WRC1 class. Building on his previous win at Rally Sweden and a second-place finish at the season-opening Rallye Monte Carlo, Evans secured his second victory of the season, further solidifying his status as a leading contender for the drivers’ championship title.
Meanwhile, Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team delivered a historic double podium by finishing second and third — the team’s best-ever result at the Safari Rally. This year’s event attracted more than 250,000 motorsport fans, marking a 33% increase from last year and highlighting the growing global popularity of the WRC.
The 2025 WRC season spans 14 rounds across 16 countries in Europe, Africa, South America, and Asia. Round 4 will take place from 24th–27th April at Rally Islas Canarias on Gran Canaria, one of Spain’s Canary Islands. This newly added rally features a technically demanding tarmac course with significant altitude changes. The rally becomes especially treacherous in wet conditions, putting drivers’ steering finesse to the test.
Hankook has further solidified its position as a global leader in tyre technology by serving as the exclusive tyre supplier for all WRC classes over a three-year period starting this year. Since 2023, the company has collaborated with the FIA and leading manufacturers to develop FIA-certified high-performance rally tyres, conducting more than 2,000 kilometres of real-world testing across eight countries. Engineered to deliver maximum performance under extreme conditions, these tyres continue to reinforce Hankook’s premium brand presence in the global motorsports market.
Source: Tyretradenews
