Hankook has been officially announced as the new exclusive tyre supplier for the World Rally Championship from 2025.
Hankook has been awarded the exclusive contract to supply tyres for the FIA World Rally Championship for a period of three years beginning 2025 WRC. The announcement of the new partnership came after the most recent FIA World Motor Sport Council meeting in Baku on Wednesday.
Hankook will take over from Italian brand Pirelli, which has supplied all four-wheel drive cars in the WRC since 2021 but announced its departure in September.
The top-tier Rally1 cars as well as those running in the WRC2, WRC3 and FIA Junior WRC support championships will be fitted with tires manufactured by the South Korean company.
“We are thrilled to embrace an exciting new chapter for the FIA World Rally Championship and extend a warm welcome to Hankook as our exclusive tyre provider for the next three years, commencing in 2025,” said Peter Thul, Senior Director of Sport for WRC Promoter.
“We also express our sincere gratitude to Pirelli for their valuable contributions throughout the recent seasons.
“Their partnership has been greatly appreciated.”
Hankook has long been a prominent brand in the world of motorsport. Notably, the manufacturer was the exclusive tyre partner for both the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship and the Junior ERC category of the FIA European Rally Championship. In 2023 alone, the company was a key player in over 50 series.
“The FIA World Rally Championship is one of the most spectacular motorsports globally with a rich history and a huge, dedicated fan base,” Sooil Lee, President & CEO of Hankook Tire & Technology said.
“Hankook Tire is very pleased and proud to become the new and exclusive supplier and partner of the WRC from 2025.”
Other developments that were confirmed at WMSC included the provision of route note crews for Rally2 crews and a new points structure but the specifics have not yet been disclosed.
