The 2026 FIA World Rally Championship opened at Rallye Monte-Carlo with Hankook supplying tyres across all classes.
Hankook’s Rally Tyres Faced Mixed Tarmac, Snow, and Ice
The 2026 FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) season opened from January 22 to 25, 2026, with Rallye Monte-Carlo, marking the continuation of Hankook Tire & Technology‘s role as the championship’s exclusive tyre supplier across all classes.
Staged across Monaco and France, the season opener underlined the importance of tyre performance in one of the most unpredictable events on the WRC calendar. In its 94th edition, Rallye Monte-Carlo featured a constantly shifting mix of dry tarmac, wet asphalt, snow, and ice along Alpine mountain roads.
The rally was contested over 17 special stages, covering a total of 339 kilometres. Throughout the event, Hankook supplied its FIA-certified tyres, developed in close collaboration with participating manufacturers to meet the technical and performance demands of the championship.
On dry and mixed tarmac stages, teams ran the Ventus Z215, Hankook‘s dedicated tarmac rally tyre designed for precise handling and cornering stability. For snowy and ice-covered sections, competitors relied on the Winter i*cept SR20, available in studded and non-studded specifications, to provide stronger traction.
The opening round concluded with Oliver Solberg and co-driver Elliott Edmondson securing victory for Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team. Solberg, the son of 2003 WRC champion Petter Solberg, became the youngest winner of Rallye Monte-Carlo in the 21st century, breaking a record that had stood since 1970.
Hankook‘s involvement in the WRC follows its appointment as exclusive rally tyre supplier from the 2025 season under a three-year agreement. Ahead of its debut, the company conducted more than 2,000 kilometres of testing across eight countries to develop tyres capable of delivering consistent performance in extreme environments. 2026 is Hankook‘s second year as the competition’s official tyre supplier.
Beyond competition support, Hankook is also set to continue its WRC-related brand activation efforts throughout the season. The Korean tyre maker plans to install its ‘Brand World’ marketing booths at selected service parks, including Croatia Rally and Vodafone Rally de Portugal, alongside ‘Stage Hospitality’ programmes at regional events. These initiatives are aimed at engaging partners, customers, and fans while strengthening Hankook‘s brand presence.
The 2026 FIA World Rally Championship features 14 rounds across Europe, Africa, South America, and Asia, running from January to November. The next round will be held in Sweden from February 12 to 15.
