The WRC introduced a new tyre supplier for this season, with Hankook replacing Pirelli.
While Hankook’s tyres held up reasonably well during the early part of the year, problems have begun to surface as the season has progressed into summer. In particular, multiple punctures occurred at the Acropolis Rally in Greece, although some drivers managed to get through without any issues.
Reigning world champion Thierry Neuville was one of those who suffered repeated tyre problems in Greece. The Belgian made his position clear after the rally.
“Honestly, I think we lost a good result here, especially due to the tyre issues, which for me are not only issues of functioning, but there was more to it than that,” Neuville said, demanding action:
“Something has to be done better on that side, and it needs to be investigated a bit deeper. I’m not the only one—if I understood correctly, someone else had a similar issue. But that shouldn’t happen. It cost me a good result here this weekend.”
Toyota’s Takamoto Katsuta shared exactly the same concerns as Neuville.
“Some of the drivers just didn’t do the change – the tyres on the stage. They got it at the end of the stage. Then they just drove the stage through. We saw that one driver had a flat at the end of the stage and they changed it after the stage. So I don’t know how, but it’s quite strange,” Katsuta said.
One particularly puzzling aspect of the punctures in Greece was how suddenly and without impact they seemed to occur. The damage appeared to come out of nowhere – without driver error or any major hit.
As these types of situations become more common, the spotlight naturally falls on the tyre manufacturer.
“On the Power Stage, I really didn’t have a big hit or anything. So for me, if we can, it would be nice to know how it’s happening. But of course we cannot,” Katsuta noted.
“I know – we know – that the guys are pushing hard to make better tyres, so I don’t want to be complaining about them,” he added.
Hankook’s tyres will face another tough test in July and early August, as the WRC continues with high-speed gravel rallies in Estonia and Finland. If issues persist, the series could face a full-blown tyre crisis.
“But it’s quite hard for our side too, to accept losing time and opportunity because of this kind of thing. So we just need to improve on both sides,” Katsuta concluded.
