Hankook Tire Kicks Off 2026 WRC Season as Exclusive Supplier
Event summary
- Hankook Tire begins its 2026 FIA World Rally Championship campaign as the exclusive tire supplier for the season-opening Rallye Monte-Carlo (January 22–25).
- The event features 17 special stages across 339 km of mixed surfaces, including tarmac, mud, snow, and ice.
- Hankook will supply Ventus Z215 tarmac tires and Winter i*cept SR20 snow/ice tires, both incorporating latest motorsport technology.
- Hankook will activate 'Brand World' and 'Stage Hospitality' programs at select events to engage fans and partners.
- The 2026 WRC season includes 14 rounds across four continents.
The big picture
Hankook's continued role as exclusive WRC tire supplier underscores its technology leadership in motorsport applications. The 2026 season presents an opportunity to demonstrate its engineering capabilities across varied global conditions, reinforcing its premium brand positioning. With 14 rounds across four continents, this partnership serves as a high-profile platform for Hankook to showcase its innovation and reliability in extreme rally environments.
What we're watching
- Technology Validation
- How Hankook's latest tire technology performs under Rallye Monte-Carlo's extreme conditions will validate its R&D investments.
- Brand Positioning
- Whether Hankook's 'Brand World' and 'Stage Hospitality' initiatives effectively reinforce its premium positioning among global partners.
- Season Performance
- The pace at which Hankook can maintain consistent performance across diverse rally conditions throughout the 14-round season.
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