As the World Rally Championship starts a demanding run of gravel rallies, Hankook has revealed that it will debut an upgraded tire at Rally Portugal, specifically designed for the brutal Rally1 class. The upgrade is a reflection of the tire manufacturer’s ongoing emphasis on durability as it prepares to take over from Pirelli as the WRC’s single tire supplier in 2025.
Having already updated one of its gravel tire specifications mid-season, Hankook has now developed an even stronger version in preparation for Sardinia’s and Greece’s punishing stages to follow. Company spokesperson Steven Cho revealed that the new tire had been in development since the beginning of the program and is the outcome of collaborative work with integral partners within the WRC ecosystem.
Cho explained that while the overall pattern remains the same, tread pattern and compound changes have made this latest version more durable, especially under the extreme conditions expected in upcoming rallies. Cho explained that these subtle changes in design form part of a long-term strategy of guaranteeing tire reliability while minimizing disruptions caused by punctures or degradation.
So far, Hankook’s emphasis on durability at the cost of outright performance appears to be paying off. For the first time in recent years, tire issues haven’t overshadowed the competitive activity at early 2024 events such as Monte Carlo, Sweden, Kenya, and the Canary Islands.
Looking further ahead, Hankook is considering whether additional development work will be necessary for its 2025 WRC product range. Cho indicated the brand is poised to act quickly if future events present unforeseen problems, but also highlighted the importance of product stability for teams working out how to optimize their setups around tire performance.
“It’s a balancing act,” Cho said. “We have to be agile enough to respond to needs as they arise, but yet have a solid platform that teams can rely on throughout the season.”
Meanwhile, attention is also turning to Hankook’s Tarmac products, which received competitive action at the Rally Islas Canarias. While initial driver feedback has been largely positive—reporting the tire’s consistency and durability—there is a perception that there is still more to be done.
Hyundai driver Adrien Fourmaux said the Tarmac tire was a “fair” choice, explaining that it was consistent even though teams were still figuring out the best way to take advantage of it. Tänak, his teammate, agreed and said it was a good foundation for Hankook to start its WRC adventure.
But championship leader Elfyn Evans gave a more cautious assessment. Although he commented on the consistency and acceptable wear rate of the Hankook tires, he added that it doesn’t yet fully keep up with the performance potential of modern Rally1 machines.
“For the speed these cars can carry, there is room for improvement,” Evans said, although he also praised the tire for its predictability and for contributing to competitive balance.
As the 2024 WRC season heads into more punishing territory, Hankook’s evolving tire portfolio will remain under intense scrutiny—not just from teams and drivers, but also from fans and pundits gauging the supplier’s readiness to take charge of rallying’s elite in 2025.