Hankook Tire–Backed WRC Central European Rally Concludes in Success

- Hankook’s top-tier technology stood out amid Central Europe’s unpredictable surfaces and shifting weather conditions.
- The Ventus Z215 and Z210 demonstrated consistent grip and precise control across both dry and wet asphalt stages.
- The asphalt battles now head to Rally Japan, Round 13, which is set to serve as another decisive turning point in the final stretch of the season.

Seoul, Korea, October 20, 2025 — Round 12 of the 2025 FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), the Central European Rally, concluded successfully on October 19 (local time) in and around Passau, Bavaria. Hankook Tire & Technology (hereafter Hankook), a leading global tire company under the Hankook & Company Group and the championship’s exclusive tire supplier, once again showcased the pinnacle of its high-performance racing-tire technology.

Spanning 18 special stages and around 307 kilometers of asphalt roads, the rally was regarded as one of the most demanding tarmac events on the WRC calendar. From the wide, high-speed sections running through the rolling hills of the Czech Republic to the narrow, slippery, and technical roads of the Bavarian Forest, surface grip and road characteristics varied dramatically from stage to stage. Adding to the challenge were sudden showers, dense fog, and sharp temperature swings typical of autumn, all of which tested drivers, engineers, and tires to the limit.

Hankook supported all crews with its dedicated tarmac rally tires — the Ventus Z215 and Ventus Z210. The Ventus Z215 delivers sharp handling response and exceptional cornering stability on dry asphalt, while the Ventus Z210 provides confident grip and effective water dispersion in wet and variable conditions. Both tires maintained consistent performance amid the rally’s rapidly changing grip levels, reaffirming Hankook’s advanced technology and reliability under demanding asphalt conditions.

After a weekend of intense competition, Kalle Rovanperä of TOYOTA GAZOO Racing claimed victory by 43.7 seconds, securing his third win of the season following triumphs at Rally Islas Canarias and Rally Finland. The result lifts him to joint second in the Championship standings with Sébastien Ogier on 234 points, closing in on leader Elfyn Evans (247). The Central European Rally also marked Toyota’s ninth Manufacturers’ Championship title, surpassing Citroën’s record of eight and moving just one title behind the all-time leader, Lancia (10), further underscoring the team’s dominance throughout the season.

The next round, FORUM8 Rally Japan, will take place from November 6 to 9 in Aichi and Gifu Prefectures. Renowned for its narrow, twisting mountain asphalt roads and sections with limited visibility, the rally demands precise driving and total concentration — where even the smallest mistake could have serious consequences in the final stretch of the season.

In collaboration with the FIA and major global automakers, Hankook has conducted extensive on-car testing across more than 2,000 kilometers in over eight countries, leading to the development of FIA-certified high-performance rally tires. Building on this foundation, the company will continue as the exclusive tire supplier across all WRC categories for three consecutive seasons starting in 2025, further strengthening the premium value of its unified global brand, Hankook.