FIA World Rally ChampionshipWRC2

Kubica leads Pirelli entrants for Rallye Monte-Carlo

2 Mins read

Robert Kubica will lead the Pirelli-shod FIA World Rally Championship efforts as their lead driver for the 2015 season.

The Polish driver scored two non-WRC rally wins last year on the Italian rubber and will be joined on Pirelli tyres for the season by Martin Prokop and Lorenzo Bertelli who makes the move in to WRC from WRC2.

“Rallye Monte-Carlo is one of those iconic events in motorsport, right up there with the Monaco Grand Prix, Le Mans, or the Indy 500. So we can think of nowhere better to start the season and welcome Robert Kubica into our family, off the back of his double victory with Pirelli last year at the Monza Rally and Bettega Rallysprint.” said Paul Hembery, Pirelli Motorsport director.

Having returned to the World Rally Championship last year, a series that forms an important part of our history, we’re delighted to be able to offer our private customers competitive products that proved capable of winning stages against the factory teams last year.”

Pirelli drivers confirmed for Rallye Monte-Carlo from January 22-25 include:

WRC
16 Robert Kubica/Maciej Szczepaniak – Ford Fiesta RS WRC
21 Martin Prokop/Jan Tomanek – Ford Fiesta RS WRC
37 Lorenzo Bertelli/Giovanni Bernacchini – Ford Fiesta RS WRC

WRC2
36 Julien Maurin/Nicolas Klinger – Ford Fiesta R5
41 Armin Kremer/Klaus Wicha – Skoda Fabia S2000
42 Henk Lategan/Barry White – Skoda Fabia S2000

OTHER
25 Olivier Burri/Fabrice Goron – Ford Fiesta R5
26 Felice Re/Mara Bariani – Citroen DS3 R5
28 Marco Giuseppe Silva/Giovanni Pina – Ford Fiesta R5

rsz_pirelli_lorenzo_bertelli

Lorenzo Bertelli continues with Pirelli as he makes the move in to the main WRC class


Pirelli bring an evolved version of their RK and RKW tyres which made their debut on Rallye Deutschland last year. While the hard RK5A compound is unlikely to be used as it is suited more to dry conditions the RKW7 will be the tyre of choice for the cold and damp conditions. A supersoft RKSS will also be available to drivers which comes with and without studs.

“We start Rallye Monte-Carlo just a few weeks after our dominant 1-2-3 finish on the European championship Jannerrallye.” said Matteo Braga, Pirelli senior tyre engineer.

“While the weather conditions were very consistent in Austria, we must be prepared for changeable weather on Rallye Monte-Carlo. You can have one stage that’s completely dry and then the next stage could have full snow so tyre choice is always a compromise.

“Because of that, our tyre range for Monte Carlo has been designed to be particularly adaptable to a very wide range of conditions. And there’s the logistical challenge due to the increased quantities of tyres we must bring to the event and the use of two service parks.”

Avatar photo
3034 posts

About author
Founder and Editor-In-Chief of The Checkered Flag who grew up visiting race circuits around the UK also a freelance motorsport PR officer. Outside of motorsport a lover of music, photography, NBA and NFL.
Articles
Related posts
British GTBTCCFeaturesFIA WECFIA World Rally ChampionshipFIA World RallycrossFormula 1Porsche Carrera Cup GBPorsche Mobil 1 Supercup

A Farewell Message from The Checkered Flag

4 Mins read
After 15 years of motorsport coverage, TheCheckeredFlag.co.uk announces its closure. What began as a passion project in 2009 grew into a respected voice in motorsport journalism. Thank you for being part of this journey.
FIA World Rally ChampionshipWRC2

Didier Auriol entering Rally Japan, first WRC start since 2005

1 Mins read
1994 World Rally Champion Didier Auriol will run the 2024 season finale in Japan in a WRC2 Toyota GR Yaris. While the car is not homologated by the FIA and he thus won’t be included in the WRC results, it will be his first WRC race since the 2005 Monte Carlo Rally.
DakarFIA World Rally Championship

Kuldar Sikk recovering from broken spine at Central European Rally

1 Mins read
Kuldar Sikk broke his spine and underwent emergency surgery after an accident while supporting Ott Tänak’s gravel crew during last Friday’s Central European Rally. It is unknown if he can heal up in time to be Benediktas Vanagas’ co-driver for the 2025 Dakar Rally.