WRC mainclass from 2027

I am kind of hoping they do retire and give us and the Championship a kind of fresh start under the new Regs.

Ogier has well had his time (and money), ditto Neuville (and wont like less performance), plus Evans (especially if he wins the '26 WDC).

The Manufacturer teams 2027 line-ups could be:

Toyota - Solberg, Katsuta, Pajari
Hyundai - Fourmaux, Lappi
MSport - Armstrong, Sesks

As for others actually coming back... well possibly, but more likely in privateer teams running Rally2 Toyota's, Skoda's & Lancia's.

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Originally Posted by Fast Eddie WRC

Via Rally-Journal speaking with Robert Virves...

'The technical regulations for the top category of the World Rally Championship will change after the current season, and Virves is already partly looking ahead to 2027.

“This is certainly a very important year for the future. It seems that next season the competition in Rally2 cars may become even more intense, as there are no reports of WRC27 cars coming onto the stages in large numbers,” Virves reflected.'

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No surprise. Everybody is expecting that next year will be mainly about Rally2. Lot of drivers is focusing last two seasons with this target...

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Originally Posted by deephouse

Nobody will retire, actually there is a quite bigger chance that drivers will come back, because there will might be more seat available.

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Are you sure? Now they were in top class, with unique cars. With Rally2 machinery, also "privateers" will be able to fight for top places. Especially on events where later starting position can be big advantage.

Personally I think that lot of older drivers will retire after this season...

I dont know if it's a relevant precedent, but after Group B was banned in at the end of 1986, most top drivers continued in the much less powerful Group A Cars....

I honestly think that even Tanak will come back, and Rovanpera also if he will be nowhere in single seaters, but he shows some promise, so I think he will not give up yet. And with so many drivers comiting on this season in WRC2, we can only assume that the championship will be stiff even more next year. So many of current Rally1 drivers also claiming they will drive as long as they will enjoy it. Ogier I think will continue as it is (except if he wins 26 title), then he will probably drive less events, but he will surely not stop.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by deephouse

Ogier I think will continue as it is (except if he wins 26 title), then he will probably drive less events, but he will surely not stop.

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Another couple of results like the Monté and I think Ogier will be out before the end of the season.

I thonk he'll want to have one more shot at the Monte next year and likely call it quits after that.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by deephouse

I honestly think that even Tanak will come back, and Rovanpera also if he will be nowhere in single seaters, but he shows some promise, so I think he will not give up yet. And with so many drivers comiting on this season in WRC2, we can only assume that the championship will be stiff even more next year. So many of current Rally1 drivers also claiming they will drive as long as they will enjoy it. Ogier I think will continue as it is (except if he wins 26 title), then he will probably drive less events, but he will surely not stop.

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i think Tänak will only come back if he gets the Toyota seat for next year.

at least this my assumption and feeling.

big names will eventually compete on the R5s in the next era (not full time, probably? but thats ok) and i can almost bet money that they are all going to be saying stuff like "it was the most fun I had", "I have never been happier", "more racers can compete with these affordable R5s and thats what rally is all about". Things get more fun when theres less corporate pressure, we know that.

The top lads are more worried that the move to Rally2 will result in salaries being reduced.

Why should anyone get paid 3-5 million to drive a car that anyone can drive?

Most of them will walk if there's less money for them. Not too surprising. I wouldn't keep doing my same job for a lot less money....