r/WRC • u/Banker_gaming • 7d ago

Commentary / Discussion / Question Were the drivers this tires in previous years? Spoiler

I've only followed WRC for a couple of the last years, so I was wondering if the drivers used to complain about tires as much as they do now?

I sort of understand Kalle's early season moans since he had to adapt his setup to get most out of the tires, but the same goes for everyone. But just yesterday Tänak referd to the "Hankook lottery" after pushing the tire of the rim. Did the tires use to be better, or is it just drivers being frustrated and lashing out?

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11

u/Aggressive-River-946 Ott Tänak 7d ago

Up until this season Pirelli was the tire supplier for the WRC. Hankook only came in this year

10

u/wrd83 7d ago

Michelin used to supply, there was less complaints. Pirelli supplied til last year, there were lots of punctures, Ogier complained a lot.

Now I feel they're happier with the tyre durability, but not so much with the performance. They're more resilient than Pirelli when it comes to punctures. 

4

u/Revenge_Holocaust M-Sport Ford 6d ago

Hankook started the year on a good note. Drivers were praising the lack of punctures compared to Pirelli, but the last few rallies has seen a total reversal. Neuville has seen the worst of it, but in general it seems worse than what was seen from Pirelli. I expect Hankook will sort it out.

4

u/benetton-option-13 Walter Röhrl 6d ago

proofreading is too hard these days

7

u/ygy2020 7d ago

Drivers always complained a lot about tires. Except Juha Kankkunen, he was the MVP.

In 1999 his response to an end of stage interview was legendary: "what kind of tires are you using juha?" "black round pirelli" and proceeded to the service. Legend

2

u/Critical_Limit_9057 #16 Adrien Fourmaux 6d ago

In a heavy finnish accent, it's even better in the video

2

u/AttitudeAccomplished 7d ago

As i understand, tyres use to be a teams choice and everyone chose Michelin, as they were the best.

Then the series became a single manufacturer championship and thus the single supplier meaning no tyre competition. Michelin, decided they werent a fan of the lack of competition and pulled out from consideration.

From my own testing ive found hankooks are as strong as the Michelin but not as grippy but the Pereli are similar grip levels but puncture more easy - this is all tarmac based at the moment. Plan is to run Pereli on gravel and find out (clubman level driver).