Is the WRC’s new tyres supplier ready for its Monte litmus test?

New World Rally Championship tyre supplier Hankook is “100% confident” in its product ahead of its competition debut in Monte Carlo despite drivers feeling its winter tyres require more development.

The Korean firm has taken over as the WRC’s control tyre supplier this year following the end of Pirelli’s four-year stint, which concluded at the end of last season.

Since winning the FIA’s tender, Hankook has developed a range of asphalt, gravel and snow tyres throughout 2024 to be ready to take on the unique demands of the WRC. The process has included 3,800 kilometres of testing on all surfaces, conducted in conjunction with Toyota, Hyundai and M-Sport-Ford WRC teams.

Hankook, which also supplies tyres to Formula E, has prior experience of developing rally tyres but this year marks its first time competing in rallying’s top tier. 

This week’s season opener in Monte Carlo will see the tyres in WRC competition for the first time in what is regarded as one of the championship’s most demanding and tyre-critical rallies. Crews will have the largest selection of tyres available for any event to cope with dry, wet, snow and icy conditions given the asphalt event’s notorious changeable weather conditions. 

Speaking ahead of its debut, Hankook’s European motorsport director Manfred Sandbichler feels his team is ready to tackle the event. 

“I feel 100% confident and we know that with this weather conditions [dry] for us will be the best starting point, we expect no problems,” Sandbichler told Autosport. “If we have half a metre or snow and some ice and -15 degrees it would be a totally different challenge, and maybe we will have this in Sweden, but for Monte, we feel really confident and lucky the [drier] weather can help us in this case. 

“Luckily we don’t underestimate the whole project. We are aware it will be a really tough challenge for us and we have spent a lot of time [developing]. We have good background from our engineer teams, we also hired some real specialists for this job and so far there was nothing unexpected,” he added when asked about the challenge of developing WRC tyres.

The introduction of Hankook tyres is the biggest talking point heading into the season opener given the limited knowledge and running drivers and teams have gathered running the slick and winter tyres in all conditions. Drivers on the whole appear to be content with the slick tyre but have raised concerns over the winter tyres during pre-event testing. 

“I’m quite happy with the slick tyres the winter tyres need a little bit more development, but it is the same for everybody, so we will have to deal with it but as long as the tyres are reliable that is the main thing and for now they have been,” said Hyundai’s Adrien Fourmaux, who has completed arguably the most mileage on the winter tyre following an outing at last year’s Rallye National Hivernal du Devoluy.

“We can be positive about that. It is a challenge for us because when you change tyres you change the set up of the car and you need to learn the tyres and how they perform. It is going to be a big challenge for everyone all year.” 

Toyota’s Elfyn Evans, added: “It is difficult to draw a clear conclusion [on the tyres] after one day of testing. But at least the slick tyre I drove on the test seems reasonable. 

“I don’t really see any big concern but of course, I haven’t driven in all the conditions I haven’t driven in the dry or on the snow, so it is s bit difficult to make a conclusion.

“The story is the snow tyre maybe does have so much grip in the case of difficult weather it could be challenging.” 

Thierry Neuville, Martijn Wydaeghe, Hyundai World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1

Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool

Sandbichler admitted that there has been mixed feedback from drivers and teams during the development process, but has assured that Hankook has a “Plan B” should a problem arise with its product.

“I want to tell you the truth, if I tell you everything is fine and everyone is happy, it is not true,” he said. 

“You can imagine we can’t ever satisfy everyone in one shot especially when you enter such a championship at this level as a newcomer. 

“There are always some regrets and some concerns but I can tell you that we have had some positive feedback, and also we get some information that shows we have to improve our product which is really helpful for us.

“But in general it was a good cooperation with the manufacturers and teams and this makes me happy. 

“You can imagine, winter is a short period of time and to develop the ice and snow tyres for Monte Carlo and Rally Sweden, this was the biggest challenge because we’re running out of time because the winter was ending so quickly last year and we had some challenges to fulfil our testing programme.

“You always have to have a Plan B. In our business, it is always better to have a Plan B if we get to that point. If something needs to change we will do it. You have to be flexible and you have to listen to the driver’s opinions.”