Driving style change required for new WRC slick tyre

Kalle Rovanpera feels he may need to adjust his driving style to get the most out of the World Rally Championship’s new Hankook control tyres.

The two-time world champion has so far struggled to find the sweet spot, especially while driving on the Hankook slick tyre during this week’s WRC season opener in Monte Carlo.

Despite the struggles, the Finn, who is making a full-time return to the championship this season, managed to claim victory on stage four in changeable conditions on his way to ending Friday in fourth, 38.5s behind Toyota team-mate and rally leader Sebastien Ogier.

“I think overall it is pretty clear that maybe the driving style that I normally have doesn’t work with the slick [tyre],” Rovanpera told Autosport.

“We didn’t have clean or clear dry tarmac in my test or in the Devoluy rally last year. It is quite clear that how I naturally drive doesn’t work so well.

“We did some small set up things that was slightly better in the afternoon but clearly it is not enough.

“To be honest the pace looks to be good on the snow and studded tyre but then as soon as we go on the slick tyre it seems to be more difficult. That is where we need to find the pace.”

Rovanpera has previously struggled for pace in Monte Carlo when the WRC introduced the Rally1 car concept in 2022. However, Rovanpera was able to quickly adjust and recover to finish fourth in that event before then going on to dominate the championship.

When asked if it was possible to find the answers this weekend or if more time is required, he added: “Of course we have done it previously [in Monte Carlo in 2022] but it was different kind of issue, back then it was more car set up.

“I don’t think the car is much wrong here, it feels really good but it is just how to be quick with the tyres is the issue.

“A top four from this rally would be okay but I should be able to be at a bit better pace.”

Rovanpera’s slick tyre conundrum aside, it proved to be a strong day for Toyota as the Japanese marque ended Friday with three of its five cars inside the top four.

Ogier led the Toyota charge assuming the rally lead from team-mate Elfyn Evans after the latter suffered a half-spin stage eight.

The Saint-Leger-les-Melezes/La Batie-Neuve test marked an emotional moment for the nine-time Monte Carlo winner as this was the first time he’d won the stage closest to where he grew up.

Sébastien Ogier, Vincent Landais, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1

Photo by: Toyota Racing

“Experience is always helping in this moment, but again a lot of drivers have experience here,” Ogier told Autosport.

“Of course I have even more than them but I’m not sure if it is the parameter which made the difference today.

“It was not a perfect day I was struggling in the morning to find the limit and a good rhythm but luckily I managed to find that in the last two one.

“It was nice to finally achieve a win in my home stage. There is no time to relax as there are very small gaps so we have to keep going in the same way.”