The World Rally Championship’s jump from Monte Carlo to Sweden is always dramatic, but in 2025, tires have taken center stage in the snow and ice showdown.
For the first time in WRC history, every team is running Hankook’s winter rally tire, replacing the long-used Pirelli Sottozero Ice J1B. But with limited testing, unpredictable conditions, and major performance differences, drivers are now facing one of the biggest unknowns of the season—how to extract the most from an unfamiliar compound in extreme Scandinavian conditions.
The driver who cracks the Hankook puzzle first may well be the one to lift the Rally Sweden trophy.
Hankook’s Big Test: A Crucial Unknown for Every Team
Unlike Monte Carlo, where tire strategy is everything, Rally Sweden is usually straightforward—one studded ice tire for all. But this year, the change to Hankook’s Winter i*Pike SR10W means all drivers are still adapting, and some are struggling more than others.
“This is the biggest unknown going into the rally,” said two-time WRC champion Kalle Rovanperä, who admitted he has had to alter his driving style to suit the new rubber.
While Rovanperä had at least one day of testing and a warm-up rally (Arctic Lapland) to get acclimated, his Hyundai rivals got almost nothing.
Reigning world champion Thierry Neuville revealed his test session was a disaster.
“I had a very bad test,” Neuville admitted. “I was driving in pouring rain and only slush.”
With so little experience on the new Hankooks, Neuville still doesn’t trust the tires and is heading into Rally Sweden with uncertainty rather than confidence.
“I don’t know how optimistic we can be,” he said. “The grip is there, but it goes quickly, and I don’t feel comfortable yet.”
His Hyundai teammate Ott Tänak was even more blunt, saying simply: “Tires are everything.”
How long they last?
How much they degrade?
How much drivers can push?
Nobody knows for sure.
Elfyn Evans and Road Position: A Crucial Wild Card
Tires aren’t the only major question mark in Sweden—road position is equally mysterious this year.
Traditionally, starting first on the road in Sweden is a nightmare, as cars behind benefit from a cleaner racing line. But with sub-zero temperatures and a strong ice base, this time running up front might actually be an advantage.
That’s why Elfyn Evans, who starts first on the road, is cautiously optimistic about his chances.
“The conditions are really nice, no question,” Evans said. “It’s just typical that SS2 has the most loose snow on it, which is the longest stage and obviously the first one on Friday. So let’s see how it plays out.”
Even Adrien Fourmaux, who starts just behind Evans, is unsure what the best position actually is.
“It’s difficult to know,” Fourmaux said. “Normally, starting later is better in Sweden, but when the ice is really good, first can be good too.”
On the other hand, Toyota’s Takamoto Katsuta (starting 7th) admitted he has “no idea” if his spot is good or bad.
“We expected that being behind would be better, but in shakedown, the opposite was true,” Katsuta said.
The Race to Adapt: Who Cracks the Code First?
With the Hankook tires still a mystery, Rally Sweden could be one of the most unpredictable rounds of the season.
- Rovanperä hopes for a fair fight with his third-place start
- Neuville and Hyundai are unsure what to expect
- Tänak is banking on adaptability
- Evans has a unique advantage—but only if conditions favor early starters
In a championship where every second matters, those who figure out the Hankooks first will be the ones fighting for victory.
Rally Sweden is about to be a masterclass in adaptation.
Who will rise to the challenge?
