2025 WRC News & Rumours

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Sordo to return in (4th) Hyundai for Greece & Sardinia, quotes from Neuville ...

https://rallyjournal.com/a-big-revelation-from-thierry-neuville-about-his-teams-upcoming-tactics/


Also, the F1 star who tested a Rally1 Car is revealed... and it wasn't Bottas ! ;)

https://rallyjournal.com/name-of-f1-star-who-took-part-in-extremely-secret-rally-tests-leaked-to-the-public-he-was-incredibly-good/

[WRCStan]

Also, the F1 star who tested a Rally1 Car is revealed... and it wasn't Bottas ! ;)

https://rallyjournal.com/name-of-f1-star-who-took-part-in-extremely-secret-rally-tests-leaked-to-the-public-he-was-incredibly-good/

Props to the user here who reported it at the time.

[106 sport]

Interesting interview with the hero from Gran Canaria, Luís Monzón
https://www.wrc.com/en/news/luis-monzon-returns-to-wrc-at-rally-islas-canarias

[Managarium]

TOO MUCH WEAR?!
The WRC crews will have 8 more tires in Rally Portugal so the total available for each car goes from 28 to 36 (shakedown included).
This change was made official through the “Bulletin 1” of the event.
Considering that two more sets of tires are a lot and this change is important there must be an explanation that could be excessive tire wear.
We have already hypothesized in another post that the Hankook tires are too hard and that in Kenya there were 23 punctures attributable to this robustness but the African event had a soft surface that did not wear the tires excessively.
The triptych of gravel roads arriving Portugal-Sardinia-Greece instead has a lot of wear and higher temperatures that could lead to problems with the integrity of the tires.
In support of OUR hypothesis there would be the length of the special stages in Portugal:
24 special stages with maximum lengths of 15 km with the exception of the Amarante stage which will be 24.
However, the Amarante stage has always been 37 km and this shortening combined with the addition of tires make us think.

[WRCStan]

Apologies if this video was shared in another thread, and this is probably the wrong thread for the topic but it's related to a few pages ago where we were having a chat about what a car is and the identity of rally (sofas, buggies, crosskarts and side by sides etc..) Here's Rich Millener being recorded at about the same time on side-by-sides: 'I personally think a modified version of this could be the answer to the problems in rally of entry level vehicles'

https://youtu.be/1xsKjcptLjc?t=785

Strongly recommend to watch the whole video, Rich is quite open.

[saco0o]

Also, the F1 star who tested a Rally1 Car is revealed... and it wasn't Bottas ! ;)

https://rallyjournal.com/name-of-f1-star-who-took-part-in-extremely-secret-rally-tests-leaked-to-the-public-he-was-incredibly-good/

a few websites are covering this, Lando said it wasnt him.
https://racingnews365.com/norris-responds-to-rally-rumours-hopefully-that-will-become-a-headline

"I said a couple of years ago, I'm not allowed. Zak [Brown, McLaren CEO] doesn't let me drive rally cars, probably for a good reason, but I've said many times I would love to. It's so weird how people come up with such things in the media. That's how terrible it is sometimes, rather than just asking me before publishing things."

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Surprise driver for top-tier Rally1 car in Portugal:

https://rallyjournal.com/source-surprise-driver-for-top-tier-rally1-car-and-a-hint-at-hyundais-plans/

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Ben Sulayem proposes Malcolm Wilson as Robert Reid's successor at FIA...

https://www.autosport.com/general/news/malcolm-wilson-nominated-as-new-fia-deputy-presidential-candidate/10716162/

[Sal yet again]

https://www.autosport.com/general/news/malcolm-wilson-nominated-as-new-fia-deputy-presidential-candidate/10716162/

Wonder whether having given Malcolm/M Sport so much trade over the years MBS will think him "loyal to the cause"

[Rallyper]

https://www.autosport.com/general/news/malcolm-wilson-nominated-as-new-fia-deputy-presidential-candidate/10716162/

Wonder whether having given Malcolm/M Sport so much trade over the years MBS will think him "loyal to the cause"

In the way he should. Loyal to the manufacturers best.

[saco0o]

and so far no one is on the run for fia's election this year against mbs
which is kinda weird because he is NOT doing a good job, everybody knows that... but apparently his money (intimidation???) can buy all the votes. idk, i dont like this guy. it sounds "islamophobic" but its not that. its just....it always something stupid.
like these new MEDALS they are going to give to WRC race winners. "ohh they are made of recycled metals"
ok... but if you DONT PRODUCE these pointless medal, you would release LESS Co2!! how about that? its even MORE GREEN than recycled metals!!! nope... medals for everyone! screw the emissions! haha its all a big dumb hypocrital PR machine.

[WRCStan]

https://www.autosport.com/general/news/malcolm-wilson-nominated-as-new-fia-deputy-presidential-candidate/10716162/

Wonder whether having given Malcolm/M Sport so much trade over the years MBS will think him "loyal to the cause"

That's one of the most beautifully worded posts I've read on this forum. Not saying I agree, but well done.

[Managarium]

AG Rally:

Total Energies has raised the price of fuel to €8.75 per litre excluding VAT, creating discontent in the circus since the previous price, of P1 Fuels, was €6.96 per litre.
The price increase was validated by the Rally of the Canary Islands, that is, since Total Energies took over from P1 Fuels as the sole supplier of fuel for the WRC.
The new price has been increased by 25% which has a significant economic impact:
•WRC teams purchase fuel in blocks of 50L. Now each block of 50L costs €437.50.
•Considering that on average an event consumes between 450 and 500L of fuel, each team spends approximately €4000 plus VAT for each car.
*Quantity of fuel and total price may vary from event to event.
TotalEnergies will supply fuel at these prices until the end of the season, meanwhile the FIA ​​is looking for a single fuel supplier for the three-year period 2026-2028 through a tender.

[tbazsi95]

Technical rules for the next WRC regulations cycle still aren't set in stone ��

But the FIA remains optimistic that the 2027 regulations are going to attract interest from new entrants ��

2628

[saco0o]

ouchhhhh i always forget how expensive motorsport is, jeeeez

[Eli]

Technical rules for the next WRC regulations cycle still aren't set in stone ��

But the FIA remains optimistic that the 2027 regulations are going to attract interest from new entrants ��

2628

So basically they remain confident that Hyundai are out for next year…do wonder who will take their place, doubt any of the VW Group bandwagon will comeback; Although could you believe it’s almost been 10 years(!] since dieselgate?

[denkimi]

AG Rally:

Total Energies has raised the price of fuel to €8.75 per litre excluding VAT, creating discontent in the circus since the previous price, of P1 Fuels, was €6.96 per litre.
The price increase was validated by the Rally of the Canary Islands, that is, since Total Energies took over from P1 Fuels as the sole supplier of fuel for the WRC.
The new price has been increased by 25% which has a significant economic impact:
•WRC teams purchase fuel in blocks of 50L. Now each block of 50L costs €437.50.
•Considering that on average an event consumes between 450 and 500L of fuel, each team spends approximately €4000 plus VAT for each car.
*Quantity of fuel and total price may vary from event to event.
TotalEnergies will supply fuel at these prices until the end of the season, meanwhile the FIA ​​is looking for a single fuel supplier for the three-year period 2026-2028 through a tender.
This seems like one of the things that could easily be changed to make things cheaper. Just make them use normal, commercial fuel. Nobody will notice the difference in performance, and they all save a lot of money.

[saco0o]

This seems like one of the things that could easily be changed to make things cheaper. Just make them use normal, commercial fuel. Nobody will notice the difference in performance, and they all save a lot of money.

i may be wrong but..... FIA needs to pretend the championship is GREEN and run on 'clean fuels'.
i doubt thats going to change. its easier to say 'race car polutes' instead of talking about how overseas rounds are the top emission's cause, how traveling around europe in huge trucks and vans polutes more than the actual races, how fan dslocation polutes etc.

[WRCStan]

i may be wrong but..... FIA needs to pretend the championship is GREEN and run on 'clean fuels'.

Correct. It can change but will need the competitors to stop entering like how the hybrid costs made them face reality. The fuel costs are a competitor cost which need to be passed on through diminished entry lists.

[Eli]

In unrelated news, it seems USA will host a rally next year: https://www.autosport.com/wrc/news/usa-in-the-frame-to-join-wrc-calendar-in-2026/10716979/

If they do join we’ll have a 15 event calendar.

[rallyfiend]

Correct. It can change but will need the competitors to stop entering like how the hybrid costs made them face reality. The fuel costs are a competitor cost which need to be passed on through diminished entry lists.

Entry lists aren't diminished though....

Everyone wants more manufacturers, well they certainly won't come - or develop rally cars for customer use - if they are not running on sustainabile fuel in the future.

That's just a fact everyone needs to accept.

[deephouse]

In unrelated news, it seems USA will host a rally next year: https://www.autosport.com/wrc/news/usa-in-the-frame-to-join-wrc-calendar-in-2026/10716979/

If they do join we’ll have a 15 event calendar.

Strange we have no interests from manfacturers but in regard of events there are more than ever was. I'm just concerned that those smart pals from head of sport will sacrifice legendary proven events for those newcomers just because money filling their pockets.

[Eli]

Strange we have no interests from manfacturers but in regard of events there are more than ever was. I'm just concerned that those smart pals from head of sport will sacrifice legendary proven events for those newcomers just because money filling their pockets.
They already have, no Corsica, no Wales, no Argentina, but Saudi Arabia for 10 years? yes please, Japan being one of the most boring tarmac events, of course, Toyota are involved, can’t say no. Indonesia of all places looking for a slot? Sure, I’m not expecting them to keep the same calendar for years on end but I can’t say Latvia was particularly interesting and it has a 2 year ready contract for 2027-2028…

[WRCStan]

Entry lists aren't diminished though....

Then there's not enough 'discontent in the circus' to force change.


Everyone wants more manufacturers, well they certainly won't come - or develop rally cars for customer use - if they are not running on sustainabile fuel in the future.

That's just a fact everyone needs to accept.

That's not a fact.

[deephouse]

They already have, no Corsica, no Wales, no Argentina, but Saudi Arabia for 10 years? yes please, Japan being one of the most boring tarmac events, of course, Toyota are involved, can’t say no. Indonesia of all places looking for a slot? Sure, I’m not expecting them to keep the same calendar for years on end but I can’t say Latvia was particularly interesting and it has a 2 year ready contract for 2027-2028…

So we can expect in the future no Monte, Sweden, probably Portugal... and Toyota competing against themselves with 10 drivers. Ineresting

[Eli]

So we can expect in the future no Monte, Sweden, probably Portugal... and Toyota competing against themselves with 10 drivers. Ineresting

Mind you Monte-Carlo wasn’t in the calendar between 2009-2011, Portugal came back after 6 years in 2007, and even Sweden isn’t bulletproof…a lack of snow in the future will post a problem. Toyota are already competing against themselves as we can see this weekend…

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Interesting interview with Kalle on the reason for his Canarias pace, gravel struggles and the difference with the non-hybrid car...

https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/rovanpera-not-expecting-to-suddenly-be-dominant

[denkimi]

Interesting interview with Kalle on the reason for his Canarias pace, gravel struggles and the difference with the non-hybrid car...

https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/rovanpera-not-expecting-to-suddenly-be-dominant
I would say he had the spectacular pace because hyundai and ford sucked, evans didn't wanted to push to the max, and ogier is getting old.

[Sulland]

Is this for real, or russian clickbate trolling?

https://news.humatl.com/kalle-rovanpera-leaves-wrc-in-shockeven-legend-sbastien-ogier-admits-its-beyond-imagination-vothiyenlinh/?utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwY2xjawKGtqVleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETA1TVVva DRKOFA2bTZVSjlIAR64vw7PW_IOp1Z9sInHvhEr9rhax2t2b72 56JZlsiTX4cRrVJFEoOAUsR4lMg_aem_XSGvrZoHwo--KbvnQzBDwQ

[Rallyper]

Is this for real, or russian clickbate trolling?

https://news.humatl.com/kalle-rovanpera-leaves-wrc-in-shockeven-legend-sbastien-ogier-admits-its-beyond-imagination-vothiyenlinh/?utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwY2xjawKGtqVleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETA1TVVva DRKOFA2bTZVSjlIAR64vw7PW_IOp1Z9sInHvhEr9rhax2t2b72 56JZlsiTX4cRrVJFEoOAUsR4lMg_aem_XSGvrZoHwo--KbvnQzBDwQ

I guess they telling an18 months old story...

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Deleted

[focus206]

I guess the tiny consolation to take from these clickbait articles is that WRC/rallying is at least popular enough for these village "journalists" to make up stories to get clicks. I've never seen it happening for touring car racing, hillclimbing etc.

[WRCStan]

This is wonderful 'AI'. Do us all a favour and delete those links before they start spamming the forum with links.

[EstWRC]

I can tell already by looking at the link it’s not real

Incredible

[saco0o]

this site looks exactly like that one with the breaking news that Evans was quitting WRC to go Wrestling - or something like that

[tbazsi95]

"SOLBERG IN WRC
According to our sources, Oliver Solberg’s return to the WRC is expected to take place in the 2025 Rally Finland aboard the Toyota GR Yaris Rally1.
The step up in category would be part of a development program agreed between both parties at the start of the season and the move to the top class is the reason why Solberg left Skoda at the start of 2025 to sign with Toyota.

Solberg is following a very similar growth program to that of Sami Pajari who in turn jumped into the WRC in the 2024 Rally Chile (September 2024, round 11) while Oliver should do so in Finland in August 2025 in round 9.

Solberg is currently campaigning his WRC2 with Toyota (Printsport team) with whom he takes part in all the rounds of the season to gain as much experience as possible.
The results are good (second position behind Rossel but by virtue of the championship rules it is as if they were on equal points) and evidently his data is convincing the top brass of the WRC team.
Solberg has already competed a full season in the WRC, that is with Hyundai in 2022 where however, perhaps because he was too young or perhaps because the car had so many problems, everything went badly (33 points in 12 events). Now there could be a new opportunity after 2 years of purgatory in the WRC2"

Source: https://www.instagram.com/p/DJ86Pt1syyQ/

[EstWRC]

thats good news, really would like to see what he can do in a good car. IMO he was very unfortunate to make his debut season in that crap 22 Hyundai

[deephouse]

Only Latvala is missed and then we would have 1-2-3-4-5-6-7 at the end of rally finland for Toyota :P

[Eli]

Only Latvala is missed and then we would have 1-2-3-4-5-6-7 at the end of rally finland for Toyota :P

Who knows? Maybe this year he’ll try a Rally3 Toyota, oh wait, there isn’t one, never mind.

[deephouse]

The wrc should allow old spec cars who competed in championship. Have simultaneously cup for historic cars like delta, quattro, mg zr, xsara, 206,... And put some old legends in it. I bet there would be crowds at events. And also boost wrc recognition again. But I fear that those cars would steal the show against this modern Rally1 machines.

[meh]

The wrc should allow old spec cars who competed in championship. Have simultaneously cup for historic cars like delta, quattro, mg zr, xsara, 206,... And put some old legends in it. I bet there would be crowds at events. And also boost wrc recognition again. But I fear that those cars would steal the show against this modern Rally1 machines.

For sure, there is nostalgia involved for that idea, but it comes with some side effects.

There have been historic cars competing with the same event as WRC cars, and the result is - they are using so different lines and mess up the road that much, that the first on the road for 2nd loop need to do the massive cleaning again. For example, in Estonia, there was a similar problem with trucks. So old cars could only compete on the road after 2nd loop.

Also, depending on the rally, the number of cars passing the road may get too high and cause some logistical challenges - every stage is live too long time.

[saco0o]

is my second language (english) not understind his second language (english) properly or this post was a little bit too harsh?
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid02ySVEfXehZDCEQhbGqD jtyeU29D86aBchDSDiG7Ct6wBMe2XcFZmDuWdufXzV82fyl&id=61571478364133

[wyler]

is my second language (english) not understind his second language (english) properly or this post was a little bit too harsh?
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid02ySVEfXehZDCEQhbGqD jtyeU29D86aBchDSDiG7Ct6wBMe2XcFZmDuWdufXzV82fyl&id=61571478364133

It's just a way to generate more reactions and comments on social media. trying to be the agent provocateur.
Look at the comments, it is not really well received

[WRCStan]

is my second language (english) not understind his second language (english) properly or this post was a little bit too harsh?
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid02ySVEfXehZDCEQhbGqD jtyeU29D86aBchDSDiG7Ct6wBMe2XcFZmDuWdufXzV82fyl&id=61571478364133

You can be as harsh as you want when you talk such delusional simpleton shite. Facebook really is a toilet.

[deephouse]

When Hyundai will leave there will be plenty of drivers who could take a seat at M-Sport and will do it for cheap or probably for free. They will jist accept that the car will be slower and that's it. Almost guaranteed that 2026 will be boring.

[rallyfiend]

https://rallyjournal.com/major-shake-up-looming-for-the-world-rally-championship-swedish-giant-poised-to-take-over-the-series/

The original article:
https://news.sky.com/story/buyout-firm-eqt-revs-up-500m-bid-for-world-rally-promoter-13378163

[Rallyper]

https://rallyjournal.com/major-shake-up-looming-for-the-world-rally-championship-swedish-giant-poised-to-take-over-the-series/

The original article:
https://news.sky.com/story/buyout-firm-eqt-revs-up-500m-bid-for-world-rally-promoter-13378163

Well, hope it´s not going same way as rights for football, etz... Making you put five times the money spent today, to be able to watch rallies in the future.

[AndyRAC]

Private equity firm - what could possibly go wrong.........????

[saco0o]

Private equity firm - what could possibly go wrong.........????

what? its perfect!
- buy it for 500m
- make it INCREDIBLE
- sell it after 5 years for 2.5 bilions!

WHAT COULD POSSIBLY GO WRONG?

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Rumour of Oliver Solberg doing Rally Finland in a Rally1 GR Yaris...

https://rallyjournal.com/major-rumours-surround-oliver-solberg-and-rally-finland-the-swede-kept-his-cards-close-to-his-chest/

[saco0o]

carlos sainz not running for fia presidency =[

[AndyRAC]

Not a massive surprise, and I don't blame him for pulling out.

And remember, the FiA, isn't just about F1/ Motorsport, as too many people think.

https://www.fia.com/members/member_club/sport-1/member_club/sport-mobility-3?f_0=

[saco0o]

ogier is doing an autocross race in france on july 13, at St Laurent
he raced AX 2 years ago (dani sordo was there too) on the top class (super buggy) and won the event. suuuure, he was on the Florent Tafani's super buggy that won the european championship title one year earlier hehe for 2025 he will race with Vojtěch Vaculík's car.
it is the same chassis brand (Alfa Racing from Czechia), but with a Porsche engine"
this video of the test is in porici nad sazavou, Czechia

https://www.instagram.com/p/DLqCsj9ubFr/

[flat_right]

https://rallyjournal.com/big-promise-from-juha-kankkunen-to-sebastien-ogier/

Kankkunen says that Ogier can drive any rally he wants.

[saco0o]

Alpine releasing an electric A290 car for the e-Rally5 class. Opel released a model for this class too in may or something like that.

[WRCStan]

More news on the FIA President vs the World front: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/articles/c1jw82zwrjzo

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Alpine reveals new all-electric rally car...

https://www.autosport.com/wrc/news/alpine-reveals-new-all-electric-rally-car/10738850/

The new A290 Rallye car is built in line with the FIA’s eRally5 regulations and is set to make its competition debut this year and at public debut at Goodwood this week.

This may be interesting...

"Alpine says that the A290 Rallye will include an innovative system that will enable the car to emit a sound that correlates with the vehicle's speed and throttle position.'

[Fast Eddie WRC]

This is more like it...

Two years on from its debut, this latest version of the Hydrogen-fuelled H2 Toyota Yaris will be demonstrated on July 31 in the Rally of Finland by Juha Kankkunen.

Lots of noise but zero-emissions from the internal combustion engine !

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GvVDyx-XYAANc6s?format=jpg&name=medium

[saco0o]

when they showcased this car a few years ago it was NOT at 'rally2' levels, right?

seeing this makes me think about the new 27car, if it is really at 'rally2' levels as they suggest (?), this is the type of stuff i'd like to see. that vs paddon electric car vs skoda building whatever they want vs some regular ICE cars from msport or the other 'builders'.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

when they showcased this car a few years ago it was NOT at 'rally2' levels, right?

seeing this makes me think about the new 27car, if it is really at 'rally2' levels as they suggest (?), this is the type of stuff i'd like to see. that vs paddon electric car vs skoda building whatever they want vs some regular ICE cars from msport or the other 'builders'.

Yep, the previous one was the modified road car version.

I dont think this one will be their '27 Car though as it'll be the spaceframe chassis with ICE power first. But they could change it to be Hydrogen powered in future if that's what they want to promote.

[saco0o]

hope ewrc results keep track of their times cuz i bet we are not going to find anything on wrc official

[Steve Boyd]

But they could change it to be Hydrogen powered in future if that's what they want to promote.I'd be interested to know the difference in power output of the same capacity ICE engine run on petrol compared with hydrogen. If both fuels are allowed in ICE engines in future will we need some form of power equalization between them, like different boost pressures or different restrictor diameters?

[BleAivano]

Well, hope it´s not going same way as rights for football, etz... Making you put five times the money spent today, to be able to watch rallies in the future.

There are other interested in buying too, one from Italy which is Prada heir Lorentzo Bertelli and one from Saudi Arabia which consists of a group of undisclosed business men from SA . https://www.emotorsport.se/nyheter.php?in=2&nyhets_id=27256

[Doon]

Any news about the 2026 calender? WRC seems to be very slow compared to other series.

What I really want to know is the date for Rally Croatia 2026 as I've seen some decent flights and want to make a family holiday of it.

[Eli]

Any news about the 2026 calender? WRC seems to be very slow compared to other series.

What I really want to know is the date for Rally Croatia 2026 as I've seen some decent flights and want to make a family holiday of it.

They were supposed to release it in July, but due to USA (apparentaly), it's delayed, they want stability in the calendar but if I'd had to guess, Croatia will probably take it's usual April slot, I think that's also what they said when they confirmed that this year they'll be in October in the ERC and then back to the WRC as they were, but I may be wrong; and yes, WRC calendar is always the slowest of the bunch, even when the entirety of the last decade (2010-2019) they barely made any changes for their 13 events.

[WRCStan]

Rally Saudi will run Wednesday (SSS) to Saturday.

[Eli]

Anyone has any news regarding next year's calendar? I mean, most (if not all) events are signed...so if we know USA won't make it...can't they at least publish a draft calendar?

[BleAivano]

It seems Aberdeen is interested in hosting a WRC round from 2027 to 2029. The article is perhaps a quite optimistic IMO, but personally quite not convinced. Some quotes below.

Like
Official bid being prepared to bring World Rally Championships to Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray

This could see the racing event be secured for three years starting from 2027.


Aberdeen council chiefs are revving up to bring the World Rally Championships to the north-east for the first time – with an official bid poised to be submitted.


And next week council finance bosses could move a step closer to landing the lucrative event with a formal bid being prepared.


There are also suggestions that money from a proposed tourist tax could help to fund the event.

Aren't the last two quotes a bit contradictory? Isn't tourist tax is a way to prevent being overwhelmed by tourists? In that case they want to use money from an anti tourist tax to host an event in a way to bring in more tourists? if so, I do like the logic. :D


https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/aberdeen-aberdeenshire/6817786/world-rally-championships-aberdeen/?hss_channel=fbp-153054651388736

[WRCStan]

Anyone has any news regarding next year's calendar? I mean, most (if not all) events are signed...so if we know USA won't make it...can't they at least publish a draft calendar?

They were supposed to release it in July, but due to USA (apparentaly), it's delayed, they want stability in the calendar but if I'd had to guess, Croatia will probably take it's usual April slot, I think that's also what they said when they confirmed that this year they'll be in October in the ERC and then back to the WRC as they were, but I may be wrong; and yes, WRC calendar is always the slowest of the bunch, even when the entirety of the last decade (2010-2019) they barely made any changes for their 13 events.

[Eli]

Speaking of the devil: https://www.wrc.com/en/news/2026-fia-world-rally-championship-calendar
Instead of having a run of gravel events between April & October, from Estonia in July onwards, it’s gravel all the way.

[Morte66]

"Crucially, the decision to reposition Rally Japan into a May slot adds a meaningful sporting benefit. By interrupting what would otherwise be a long sequence of gravel rallies"

Well, Japan is after Portugal. Then it's Acropolis, Estonia, Finland, Paraguay, Chile, Italia (Sardegna?), Saudi Arabia. Are any of those not gravel?

[denkimi]

As I see it there are only 3 tarmac rallies? With Japan being the last in may already.

[Morte66]

As I see it there are only 3 tarmac rallies? With Japan being the last in may already.

Unless that suspiciously-named "Rally Italia" turns out to be tarmac, I think there is no tarmac in the second half of the season.

[EstWRC]

It won’t be tarmac, in FIAs post about the calendar it’s marked as gravel.

Great to see Croatia back but yeah it’s now ridiculous that we have all the tarmac rallies in the first half of the season.

[Andre Oliveira]

Italia will be Roma tarmac by the last rumours.

[Eli]

It won’t be tarmac, in FIAs post about the calendar it’s marked as gravel.

Great to see Croatia back but yeah it’s now ridiculous that we have all the tarmac rallies in the first half of the season.

Still no Corsica or Wales or Argentina (which I understand barely have a penny) or even Australia :(

[denkimi]

Italia will be Roma tarmac by the last rumours.
I hope so.

[Humber]

Still no Corsica or Wales or Argentina (which I understand barely have a penny) or even Australia :(

Milei and others have helped turn the Argentine economy around. 5.5% GDP expected in 2025.

Australia is mostly interested in V8 engines. TCR is close to folding, with meetings cancelled this year.

[Danny0405]

7 Gravel rounds in a row to end the Championship… not a good idea considering road position stuff

[EstWRC]

Here we go, Ogier considering going for a title

https://www.motorsport.com/wrc/news/sebastien-ogier-wont-rule-out-wrc-title-push-/10746968/

[saco0o]

any infos on the Hydrogen car Toyota was running in Suomi? i found two clips but its from 6 days ago, so NOT at the event itself?

[Eli]

"Crucially, the decision to reposition Rally Japan into a May slot adds a meaningful sporting benefit. By interrupting what would otherwise be a long sequence of gravel rallies"

Well, Japan is after Portugal. Then it's Acropolis, Estonia, Finland, Paraguay, Chile, Italia (Sardegna?), Saudi Arabia. Are any of those not gravel?

They want to add another round in Asia after or before Japan in 2027, hence the reason for moving Rally Japan to May:
https://www.autosport.com/wrc/news/the-factors-behind-the-wrc-2026-calendar-reshuffle/10748665/

[Fast Eddie WRC]

any infos on the Hydrogen car Toyota was running in Suomi? i found two clips but its from 6 days ago, so NOT at the event itself?

It did a demo run on the Harju SSS and Kankkunen said he was 7th fastest (in WRC2 I presume)...

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DMyONqVM0ht/?igsh=M3VidnRtNzJ5M3Rz

[pedro16]

It did a demo run on the Harju SSS and Kankkunen said he was 7th fastest (in WRC2 I presume)...

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DMyONqVM0ht/?igsh=M3VidnRtNzJ5M3Rz

Not 7th fastest. He was 7 times fastest there during his career. He joked about being fastest there again because of being the only one in the hydrogen class.

[Sulland]

Soon no privateer will be able to get together a budget for WRC2 or 3, since FIA will do the same as Infantino in FIFA, move away from Europe, to get easier customers that do not say NO, and are critical to the president!!
Many national representatives in many sports and the olympic movememt are taking bribes when it comes to elections for presidents!

[Duvel]

https://www.rallye-magazin.de/wrc/artikel/kehrt-die-rallye-deutschland-mit-dem-nuerburgring-zurueck-53970/

I hope this could come true!

[wyler]

let's do "f1 tracks" wrc round adding spa. it's not far from previous edition wrc germany and belgium. would be great!

[Eli]

Although we saw how ridiculous it was when WRC cars hit the track back in 2021, however, if this gets Rally Germany back in the calendar, I’m all for it!

[Tauri_J]

let's do "f1 tracks" wrc round adding spa. it's not far from previous edition wrc germany and belgium. would be great!

Spa was ridicilous. WRC cars are too slow for proper race tracks.

[wyler]

Spa was ridicilous. WRC cars are too slow for proper race tracks.

don't think so...a lot of minor track racers don't hit 200 kmh as wrc car. years of rally show at monza proves that can be viable for a cuple of ss.
i think it's more about how to use the track as a stage. spa was ridicolous because they set up a micky mouse stage in it, they even used only half of eau rouge, that was of course ridiculous!

[Sal yet again]

Race circuit usage is nothing new as witnessed by RAC rallies of old who often used tracks such as Silverstone, Oulton Park and Donnington however only as part of the stage with lots of infield usage. Old Portugese rallies used to feature an end of event "slalom" including some of the teams' service barges!

[AndyRAC]

Run the Nordschleife the 'wrong way' (as they do annually) and split it into two stages - just use the Dottinger Hohe as the liason between two stages. Funnily enough, I'm watching NLS #6 at the moment.

[NaBUru38]

Marathon de la Route?

[denkimi]

Spa was ridicilous. WRC cars are too slow for proper race tracks.
I want to see them drive eau rouge downwards.

[Eli]

After nearly a year since the news broke out: https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/new-wrc-promoter-coming-as-fia-opens-tender/
Some news!

[Steve Boyd]

Malcolm Wilson added: “The FIA World Rally Championship, is the longest-running motorsport series of its kind
What??

Has he never heard of the European Rally Championship?

Or does he mean only world rally championships when he says "of its kind"?

[trykmann]

https://rallyjournal.com/toyota-has-outright-embarrassed-its-biggest-rival-in-the-world-rally-championship-you-can-make-your-own-assumptions/

Fowler says they already had 3 jokers left and have nothing much to develop anymore. Does Hyundai have anymore left?

If they have, then I can see a good opportunity for them. They aren't far behind anymore and if they can figure out the tyre and balance issues, then the cars can be quite equal.

[TWRC]

https://rallyjournal.com/toyota-has-outright-embarrassed-its-biggest-rival-in-the-world-rally-championship-you-can-make-your-own-assumptions/

Fowler says they already had 3 jokers left and have nothing much to develop anymore. Does Hyundai have anymore left?

If they have, then I can see a good opportunity for them. They aren't far behind anymore and if they can figure out the tyre and balance issues, then the cars can be quite equal.

I think Hyundai used their 2025 and also some of the 26 Jokers for the "new" car.

[pedro16]

I think Hyundai used their 2025 and also some of the 26 Jokers for the "new" car.

Hyundai used them all for the 2025 car. But FIA granted 2 extra jokers for everyone next year.