Demonstrating superior stability and performance in challenging winter conditions
- The 2025 WRC’s only all-snow and ice rally, Rally Sweden, concluded successfully.
- Hankook Tire’s high-performance ice rally tires provided reliable stability in extreme winter driving conditions.
- As the exclusive tire supplier for the top-tier WRC series, Hankook bolstered its global brand visibility.
UMEA, Sweden, Feb. 17, 2025 — Hankook & Company Group’s leading global tire manufacturer, Hankook Tire & Technology (Hankook Tire), successfully completed Round 2 of the 2025 FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) at Rally Sweden. As the exclusive tire provider for this prestigious FIA-sanctioned rally competition, Hankook Tire showcased its advanced motorsports technology on a world stage, solidifying its position as a leader in high-performance rally tires.
Hankook Tire played a key role in the success of Round 2 of the 2025 WRC, held in Umeå, Sweden, from February 13 to 16. Being the only WRC event held entirely on snow and ice, Rally Sweden presented unique challenges for drivers and tires. With temperatures often dropping below -25°C, exceptional grip and stability in extreme cold were crucial for optimal performance, highlighting the importance of Hankook’s advanced winter rally tire technology.
Competing vehicles used Hankook Tire’s Winter i*Pike SR10W, a winter rally tire featuring specialized stud pins designed for maximum traction on icy surfaces. These advanced tires provided exceptional braking and stability, maintaining balanced performance even under the most demanding conditions.
Toyota GAZOO Racing World Rally Team’s Elfyn Evans and co-driver Scott Martin won the WRC1 class at this year’s Rally Sweden. Following their strong second-place finish at the season-opening Rallye Monte Carlo, the pair delivered another outstanding performance, taking the championship lead with a total of 61 points. This outcome strengthens their position in the competitive race for the season’s Driver’s Championship title.
Hankook Tire has been developing FIA-certified, motorsport-grade rally tires since 2023 through extensive real-world testing, covering over 2,000 kilometers across eight countries, in close collaboration with the FIA and participating manufacturers. Starting with the 2025 season, Hankook Tire will be the exclusive tire supplier for all WRC classes for the next three years, further enhancing the premium status of its global brand, “Hankook.”
The 2025 WRC season consists of 14 rounds across 16 countries in Europe, Africa, South America, and Asia. The championship’s third round, Safari Rally Kenya, will be held from March 20 to 23 in Naivasha, Kenya. Known for its challenging terrain, this iconic rally will push drivers to their limits as they navigate unpredictable stages against the backdrop of Africa’s vast wilderness, facing intense heat and high humidity.
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