Round 2 of the 2026 FIA World Rally Championship wrapped up in Sweden under full winter conditions, with the entire route covered in snow and thick ice.

As the exclusive tyre supplier to the FIA WRC, Hankook Tire & Technology supplied its dedicated Winter i Pike SR10W competition tyre, designed specifically for snow and ice rallies. The event, based around Umeå, featured 18 special stages covering around 300 kilometres, with cars reaching speeds of up to 200 km/h despite rapidly changing temperatures and demanding surface conditions.

First held in 1950, Rally Sweden remains the only WRC round run entirely on snow and ice. The conditions place a strong focus on car control, tyre grip and braking performance, with drivers relying heavily on studded tyres to maintain stability across frozen roads.

For this rally, Hankook’s Winter i Pike SR10W was fitted with specialised ice rally studs and an asymmetric tread pattern to maximise traction and braking on icy surfaces. The tyre delivered consistent performance across the event, supporting safe and stable competition in severe winter conditions.

After a close battle, Elfyn Evans and co driver Scott Martin of Toyota Gazoo Racing secured victory by 14.3 seconds, claiming back to back Rally Sweden wins. Following a runner up finish at the season opening Rallye Monte Carlo, Evans now leads the championship standings on 60 points.

The championship now heads to Round 3, Safari Rally Kenya, taking place in Naivasha from 12 to 15 March. Known as one of the toughest events on the WRC calendar, Safari Rally Kenya brings high temperatures, heavy rain, mud and rough terrain that test both drivers and machinery.

Hankook continues to advance its rally tyre technology in partnership with the FIA and global vehicle manufacturers, completing more than 2,000 kilometres of real world testing across eight countries. From the 2025 season, Hankook will exclusively supply tyres to all WRC classes for three years, reinforcing its position in global motorsport.