New World Rally Championship tyre provider Hankook is “100% assured” in its product forward of its competitors debut in Monte Carlo regardless of drivers feeling its winter tyres require extra growth.
The Korean agency has taken over because the WRC’s management tyre provider this yr following the top of Pirelli’s four-year stint, which concluded on the finish of final season.
Since successful the FIA’s tender, Hankook has developed a variety of asphalt, gravel and snow tyres all through 2024 to be able to tackle the distinctive calls for of the WRC. The method has included 3,800 kilometres of testing on all surfaces, performed at the side of Toyota, Hyundai and M-Sport-Ford WRC groups.
Hankook, which additionally provides tyres to Formulation E, has prior expertise of growing rally tyres however this yr marks its first time competing in rallying’s prime tier.
This week’s season opener in Monte Carlo will see the tyres in WRC competitors for the primary time in what’s considered one of many championship’s most demanding and tyre-critical rallies. Crews can have the biggest collection of tyres accessible for any occasion to deal with dry, moist, snow and icy situations given the asphalt occasion’s infamous changeable climate situations.
Talking forward of the model’s debut the model’s European motorsport director Manfred Sandbichler feels his staff is able to deal with the occasion.
“I really feel 100% assured and we all know that with this climate situations [dry] for us would be the greatest place to begin, we count on no issues,” Sandbichler informed Autosport. “If we have now half a metre or snow and a few ice and -15 levels it might be a very completely different problem, and perhaps we can have this in Sweden, however for Monte, we really feel actually assured and fortunate the [drier] climate may also help us on this case.
Hankook Tire Europe President & COO Sanghoon Lee, Hankook Tire Vice Chairman & CEO Sooil Lee, WRC Promoter Managing Director Jona Siebel and WRC Promoter Senior Director Sport Peter Thul
Picture by: Purple Bull Content material Pool
“Fortunately we don’t underestimate the entire mission. We’re conscious it is going to be a very powerful problem for us and we have now spent loads of time [developing]. We’ve good background from our engineer groups, we additionally employed some actual specialists for this job and up to now there was nothing surprising,” he added when requested in regards to the problem of growing WRC tyres.
The introduction of Hankook tyres is the largest speaking level heading into the season opener given the restricted information and working drivers and groups have gathered working the slick and winter tyres in all situations. Drivers on the entire look like content material with the slick tyre however have raised considerations over the winter tyres throughout pre-event testing.
“I’m fairly pleased with the slick tyres the winter tyres want a little bit bit extra growth, however it’s the identical for everyone, so we should cope with it however so long as the tyres are dependable that’s the principal factor and for now they’ve been,” mentioned Hyundai’s Adrien Fourmaux, who has accomplished arguably essentially the most mileage on the winter tyre following an outing ultimately yr’s Rallye Nationwide Hivernal du Devoluy.
“We will be constructive about that. It’s a problem for us as a result of once you change tyres you alter the arrange of the automotive and you might want to study the tyres and the way they carry out. It will be a giant problem for everybody all yr.”
Toyota’s Elfyn Evans, added: “It’s tough to attract a transparent conclusion [on the tyres] after at some point of testing. However at the very least the slick tyre I drove on the check appears affordable.
“I don’t actually see any large concern however after all, I haven’t pushed in all of the situations I haven’t pushed within the dry or on the snow, so it’s s bit tough to make a conclusion.
“The story is the snow tyre perhaps does have a lot grip within the case of adverse climate it may very well be difficult.”
Thierry Neuville, Martijn Wydaeghe, Hyundai World Rally Group Hyundai i20 N Rally1
Picture by: Purple Bull Content material Pool
Sandbichler admitted that there was blended suggestions from drivers and groups throughout the growth course of, however has assured that Hankook has a “Plan B” ought to an issue come up with its product.
“I wish to let you know the reality, if I let you know all the things is ok and everyone seems to be pleased, it isn’t true,” he mentioned.
“You may think about we will’t ever fulfill everybody in a single shot particularly once you enter such a championship at this stage as a newcomer.
“There are all the time some regrets and a few considerations however I can let you know that we have now had some constructive suggestions, and likewise we get some data that reveals we have now to enhance our product which is absolutely useful for us.
“However typically it was a great cooperation with the producers and groups and this makes me pleased.
“You may think about, winter is a brief time frame and to develop the ice and snow tyres for Monte Carlo and Rally Sweden, this was the largest problem as a result of have been working out of time as a result of the winter was ending so shortly final yr and we had some challenges to fulfil our testing programme.
“You all the time should have a Plan B. In our enterprise, it’s all the time higher to have a Plan B if we get to that time. If one thing wants to vary we’ll do it. You must be versatile and it’s a must to hearken to the driving force’s opinions.
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