World Rally Championship teams will receive 36 tyres for Rally Chile, up from the standard 28, to counter brutal gravel conditions.
WRC tyre allocation up‑graded for Chile
An FIA bulletin confirms that Rally1 crews now have a 36‑tyre allotment for the weekend, replacing the usual 28 for gravel events. Rally2 teams retain the original 30‑tyre limit.
The decision follows a series of punctures and tyre delaminations at Rally Paraguay last month, where unusually high temperatures and harsh surfaces accelerated wear.
Hankook’s blistering analysis
“The Friday loops were long and the heat was higher than last year. The compacted clay and exposed bedrock made the roads extremely abrasive,” Hankook’s Steven Cho told Motors Pro Online. “We saw more wear than we expected, far beyond last year’s benchmark.
Cho added that while the same tyres performed well in the cooler, moistened conditions of Portugal, Chile’s environment presents a new challenge. “We’re open‑minded and will refine our approach for 2027,” he said.
Manufacturers eye 2027 upgrades
With 2027 set to bring new technical regulations, Hankook said it is actively collaborating with manufacturers on tyre development, yet no final specifications have been locked in.
As Chile’s gravel stages push tyre limits, teams must balance aggression with durability, with the expanded allocation giving them a strategic buffer in this demanding arena.
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