Pirelli’s tyres are now a thing of the past as all teams transition to Hankook rubber. This new scenario presents a significant challenge for everyone involved.
Kalle Rovanperä, returning to full-time competition with Toyota, anticipates that the new tyres will pose a major obstacle right from the season-opening Rally Monte Carlo.
“I think Monte is always super difficult. Starting this year, again we have new tyres for everybody, so I think that’s actually going to be quite a big thing. Everybody has to learn a new tyre in all kinds of conditions. So yeah, it’s going to be interesting,” Rovanperä said.
WRC drivers have already had some initial experience with the new tyres during testing. The Hankook tyres are distinctly different from the Pirelli ones previously used.
“With the Hankook, the time I’ve had with tyre testing, it’s definitely quite a different tire than what we had before,” Rovanperä explained.
“So there are definitely quite a few things to learn from the tire and also to adapt the car setup and everything to it. There are many things to adapt. It’s not going to be so easy,” Rovanperä added bluntly.
The new WRC season begins on January 23rd with the Rally Monte Carlo. Kalle Rovanperä will be aiming for his third world championship title.
