Neu-Isenburg, Germany, 29th April 2025 — Premium tyre manufacturer Hankook marked a successful finish to Round 4 of the 2025 FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), the Rally Islas Canarias, held across Spain’s Canary Islands from April 24 to 27. As the exclusive tyre supplier of the WRC, the premier global motorsport series governed by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), Hankook once again demonstrated its technological edge on the global stage.
Having been an integral part of the European Rally Championship (ERC) and the Intercontinental Rally Challenge (IRC) since 1977, the Rally Islas Canarias officially joined the WRC calendar for the first time this year. Known for its dramatic elevation changes, tightly packed technical sections, and unique course layout that winds between coastal roads and mountainous terrain, the rally presented a formidable test for both drivers and tyres alike. Unpredictable climatic conditions – including sharp temperature swings and high winds – underscored the decisive role that the performance of top-tier tyres played in the result.
In the WRC1 class, Kalle Rovanperä and Jonne Halttunen of the Toyota GAZOO Racing World Rally Team secured a commanding victory. Rovanperä delivered an outstanding performance, winning 15 of the 18 stages to claim his first triumph of the season. With this result, he surged from sixth to second place in the drivers' championship standings and has closed the gap to his leading teammate, Elfyn Evans, to 43 points.
The Hankook Ventus Z215 and Ventus Z210 tarmac rally tyres delivered stable performance even in the high tarmac temperatures of the rally. Designed for dry and wet surface conditions to maximise cornering stability and handling precision, both models supported high-speed runs and repeated precision steering throughout the demanding stages, proving their advanced capabilities in the extreme environment of WRC competitions.
The 2025 WRC season spans 14 rounds in 16 countries throughout Europe, Africa, South America, and Asia. The Vodafone Rally de Portugal is the next event which is set to take place from 15-18 May in Northern Portugal. Renowned for its mix of soft sand and rugged gravel roads, its variable terrain, and ever-changing weather conditions, the rally is celebrated by both fans and drivers as one of the most thrilling and unpredictable events on the calendar.
As of the 2025 season, Hankook is the exclusive tyre supplier for all WRC classes over a three-year term, solidifying its position as a core technology partner of the championship. Drawing on expertise developed through participation in elite motorsport series such as WRC, ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, and endurance racing, the company continues to strengthen its competitiveness in the global premium tyre market.
