WRC Driver's Championship Stats

I compiled a list of the Driver's and Manufacturer's Champions back to 1979. I also added some interesting stats.

World Championships
Year Driver's Champion (country) Co-driver (country) Car Manufacturer's Champion Car
1979 Björn Waldegård (SWE) Hans Thorszelius (SWE) Ford Escort RS1800 Ford Escort RS1800
1980 Walter Röhrl (GER) Christian Geistdörfer (GER) Fiat 131 Abarth Fiat 131 Abarth
1981 Ari Vatanen (FIN) David Richards (GBR) Ford Escort RS1800 Talbot Sunbeam Lotus
1982 Walter Röhrl (GER) Christian Geistdörfer (GER) Opel Ascona 400 Audi Quattro
1983 Hannu Mikkola (FIN) Arne Hertz (SWE) Audi Quattro Lancia Rally 037
1984 Stig Blomqvist (SWE) Björn Cederberg (SWE) Audi Quattro A2 Audi Quattro A2
1985 Timo Salonen (FIN) Seppo Harjanne (FIN) Peugeot 205 Turbo 16 E2 Peugeot 205 Turbo 16 E2
1986 Juha Kankkunen (FIN) Juha Piironen (FIN) Peugeot 205 Turbo 16 E2 Peugeot 205 Turbo 16 E2
1987 Juha Kankkunen (FIN) Juha Piironen (FIN) Lancia Delta HF 4WD Lancia Delta HF 4WD
1988 Massimo Biasion (ITA) Tiziano Siviero (ITA) Lancia Delta Integrale Lancia Lancia Delta Integrale
1989 Massimo Biasion (ITA) Tiziano Siviero (ITA) Lancia Delta Integrale 16V Lancia Delta Integrale 16V
1990 Carlos Sainz (ESP) Luís Moya (ESP) Toyota Celica GT-Four Lancia Delta Integrale 16V
1991 Juha Kankkunen (FIN) Juha Piironen (FIN) Lancia Delta Integrale 16V Lancia Delta Integrale 16V
1992 Carlos Sainz (ESP) Luís Moya (ESP) Toyota Celica Turbo 4WD Lancia Delta HF Integrale
1993 Juha Kankkunen (FIN) Nicky Grist (GBR) Toyota Celica Turbo 4WD Toyota Celica Turbo 4WD
1994 Didier Auriol (FRA) Bernard Occelli (FRA) Toyota Celica Turbo 4WD Toyota Celica Turbo 4WD
1995 Colin McRae (GBR) Derek Ringer (GBR) Subaru Impreza 555 Subaru Impreza 555
1996 Tommi Mäkinen (FIN) Seppo Harjanne (FIN) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo III Subaru Impreza 555
1997 Tommi Mäkinen (FIN) Seppo Harjanne (FIN) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IV Subaru Impreza WRC
1998 Tommi Mäkinen (FIN) Risto Mannisenmäki (FIN) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo V Mitsubishi Lancer Evo V
1999 Tommi Mäkinen (FIN) Risto Mannisenmäki (FIN) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI Toyota Corolla WRC
2000 Marcus Grönholm (FIN) Timo Rautiainen (FIN) Peugeot 206 WRC Peugeot 206 WRC
2001 Richard Burns (GBR) Robert Reid (GBR) Subaru Impreza WRC Peugeot 206 WRC
2002 Marcus Grönholm (FIN) Timo Rautiainen (FIN) Peugeot 206 WRC Peugeot 206 WRC
2003 Petter Solberg (NOR) Phil Mills (GBR) Subaru Impreza WRC 2003 Citroën Xsara WRC
2004 Sébastien Loeb (FRA) Daniel Elena (MC) Citroën Xsara WRC Citroën Xsara WRC
2005 Sébastien Loeb (FRA) Daniel Elena (MC) Citroën Xsara WRC Citroën Xsara WRC
2006 Sébastien Loeb (FRA) Daniel Elena (MC) Citroën Xsara WRC Ford Focus RS WRC 06

By Manufacturer
Driver's Titles
1 Lancia 4
1 Mitsubishi 4
1 Peugeot 4
1 Toyota 4
5 Citroën 3
5 Subaru 3
7 Audi 2
7 Ford 2
9 Fiat 1
9 Opel 1

Manufacturer's Titles
1 Lancia 7
2 Peugeot 5
3 Citroën 3
3 Subaru 3
3 Toyota 3
6 Audi 2
6 Ford 2
8 Fiat 1
8 Mitsubishi 1
8 Talbot 1

Total Points
1 Lancia 3601
2 Ford 3007
3 Toyota 2832
4 Subaru 1973
5 Audi 1731
6 Peugeot 1690
7 Mitsubishi 1457
8 Citroën 906
9 Opel 728
10 Renault 591
11 Nissan 554
12 Datsun 484
13 Fiat 477
14 Mazda 464
15 Volkswagen 271
16 Talbot 242
17 Mercedes 203
18 Porsche 174
19 BMW 112
20 Vauxhall 77
21 Skoda 70
22 Saab 61
23 MG 35
24 Alfa Romeo 32
25 Seat 27
26 Daihatsu 26
27 Hyundai 19
28 Ferrari 15
29 Suzuki 11
30 Proton 6
30 Range Rover 6
32 Mini 4
32 Triumph 4
34 Chevrolet 3
34 Dodge 3
34 Lada 3
37 Isuzu 2
38 FSO 1
38 Volvo 1

Total Point Finishes
1 Ford 485
2 Toyota 342
3 Lancia 335
4 Subaru 334
5 Peugeot 266
6 Mitsubishi 252
7 Audi 185
8 Citroën 154
9 Opel 117
10 Renault 110
11 Nissan 91
12 Mazda 72
13 Datsun 59
14 Fiat 55
15 Volkswagen 49
16 Skoda 34
17 Porsche 26
18 Talbot 25
19 BMW 18
19 Mercedes 18
21 Seat 13
21 Vauxhall 13
23 Hyundai 11
24 Daihatsu 8
24 MG 8
26 Alfa Romeo 7
26 Saab 7
28 Suzuki 4
29 Proton 3
30 Dodge 2
30 Lada 2
32 Chevrolet 1
32 Ferrari 1
32 FSO 1
32 Isuzu 1
32 Mini 1
32 Range Rover 1
32 Triumph 1
32 Volvo 1

Total Wins
1 Lancia 59
2 Subaru 47
3 Ford 44
4 Peugeot 43
5 Toyota 41
6 Citroën 34
7 Mitsubishi 32
8 Audi 24
9 Fiat 7
10 Datsun 5
10 Opel 5
10 Renault 5
13 Mazda 3
13 Nissan 3
15 Mercedes 2
15 Talbot 2
17 BMW 1
17 Porsche 1
17 Saab 1
17 Volkswagen 1

Total Podiums
1 Ford 178
2 Lancia 165
3 Toyota 137
4 Peugeot 124
5 Subaru 120
6 Citroën 77
7 Audi 71
7 Mitsubishi 71
9 Fiat 22
10 Opel 18
11 Datsun 17
12 Nissan 13
13 Renault 11
14 Mazda 10
14 Talbot 10
16 Mercedes 9
17 Volkswagen 7
18 Porsche 6
19 BMW 3
19 Seat 3
21 Saab 2
21 Vauxhall 2
23 Alfa Romeo 1
23 Ferrari 1
23 MG 1
23 Skoda 1

By Country
Driver's Titles
1 Finland 13
2 France 4
3 Germany 2
3 Great Britain 2
3 Italy 2
3 Spain 2
3 Sweden 2
8 Norway 1

Manufacturer's Titles
1 France 9
2 Italy 8
3 Japan 7
4 Germany 2
4 Great Britain 2

Total Points
1 Finland 5843
2 France 3656
3 Sweden 2755
4 Italy 1878
5 Spain 1437
6 Great Britain 1353
7 Germany 873
8 Kenya 616
9 Belgium 525
10 Argentina 433
11 Austria 404
12 New Zealand 400
13 Norway 360
14 Japan 210
15 Estonia 207
16 Portugal 190
17 Australia 159
18 Uruguay 122
19 Greece 101
20 Ivory Coast 88
21 Czech Republic 48
21 United States 48
23 Libya 31
24 Brazil 27
25 Monaco 21
25 Qatar 21
27 Canada 15
27 Chile 15
29 Indonesia 14
30 Ireland 13
31 United Arab Emerites 12
32 Switzerland 11
33 Hong Kong 7
34 Uganda 4
35 Cameroon 3
35 Russia 3
35 South Africa 3
38 Denmark 1
38 Malaysia 1
38 Poland 1
38 Saudi Arabia 1
38 Turkey 1

Total Point Finishes
1 Finland 682
2 France 480
3 Sweden 342
4 Italy 240
5 Great Britain 213
6 Spain 188
7 Belgium 117
8 Germany 105
9 Kenya 92
10 New Zealand 89
11 Argentina 83
12 Austria 73
13 Norway 71
14 Japan 47
14 Portugal 47
16 Australia 42
16 Estonia 42
18 Greece 29
19 Uruguay 24
20 Czech Republic 21
21 Ivory Coast 19
22 Monaco 8
22 United States 8
24 Brazil 7
25 Libya 5
25 Switzerland 5
27 Canada 4
27 Chile 4
27 Indonesia 4
30 Qatar 3
30 United Arab Emerites 3
32 Hong Kong 2
32 Ireland 2
32 Russia 2
35 Cameroon 1
35 Denmark 1
35 Malaysia 1
35 Poland 1
35 Saudi Arabia 1
35 South Africa 1
35 Turkey 1
35 Uganda 1

Total Wins
1 Finland 125
2 France 79
3 Great Britain 35
4 Sweden 31
5 Spain 27
6 Italy 21
7 Norway 13
8 Germany 12
9 Estonia 5
9 Kenya 5
11 Austria 2
11 Japan 2
13 Argentina 1
13 Belgium 1
13 Portugal 1

Total Podiums
1 Finland 339
2 France 197
3 Sweden 106
4 Spain 103
5 Great Britain 84
6 Italy 80
7 Germany 40
8 Norway 33
9 Belgium 21
10 Estonia 18
10 Kenya 18
12 Austria 13
12 Argentina 10
14 New Zealand 5
15 Japan 3
15 Uruguay 3
17 Australia 2
17 Portugal 2
17 United States 2
20 Ivory Coast 1

By Co-Driver
Driver's Titles
1 Daniel Elena (MC) 3
1 Seppo Harjanne (FIN) 3
1 Juha Piironen (FIN) 3
4 Christian Geistdörfer (GER) 2
4 Risto Mannisenmäki (FIN) 2
4 Luís Moya (ESP) 2
4 Timo Rautiainen (FIN) 2
4 Tiziano Siviero (ITA) 2
9 Björn Cederberg (SWE) 1
9 Nicky Grist (GBR) 1
9 Arne Hertz (SWE) 1
9 Phil Mills (GBR) 1
9 Bernard Occelli (FRA) 1
9 Robert Reid (GBR) 1
9 David Richard (GBR) 1
9 Derek Ringer (GBR) 1
9 Hans Thorszelius (SWE) 1

By Co-driver Nationality
Driver's Titles
1 Finland 10
2 Great Britain 5
3 Monaco 3
3 Sweden 3
5 Germany 2
5 Italy 2
5 Spain 2
8 France 1

*note this category is based on DRIVER's TITLES, some years, the Co-driver of the World Champion did not win the Co-Driver's Title*

Well thanx for the hard work but there are already many sites with those statistics....

Gotta ask who did Nicky Grist win his title with?

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Originally Posted by Norwegian Blue

Gotta ask who did Nicky Grist win his title with?

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I think with kankkunen

I should have looked at the list above! Thanks :)

Yep, nice to see but as NOT says, lots of sites out there with that info already :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by LazioCenturion

Manufacturer's Titles
1 France 9
2 Italy 8
3 Japan 7
4 Germany 2
4 Great Britain 2

*

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This is a bit misleading, "Japan 7".

The Toyota's were built / prepared and run by a German based tean TTE, and both Subaru & Mitsubihi by British based teams, Prodrive and Ralliart.

What do you think?

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Originally Posted by Tomski

This is a bit misleading, "Japan 7".

The Toyota's were built / prepared and run by a German based tean TTE, and both Subaru & Mitsubihi by British based teams, Prodrive and Ralliart.

What do you think?

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The teams don't manufacture the car though? And I'd guess it's the manufacturers that pay for the teams. So why not?

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Originally Posted by J4MIE

The teams don't manufacture the car though? And I'd guess it's the manufacturers that pay for the teams. So why not?

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I agree, the manufacturers are Japanese. It's a championship for manufacturers, not for teams.

Pay attention, all statistics about Manufacturers are not OK, because Manufacturers Championship began in 1973 and not 1979.
Drivers' one seems to be OK !

In the first line of his post LazioCenturion states that the statistics are only going back to 1979: "I compiled a list of the Driver's and Manufacturer's Champions back to 1979". I think he's aware the manufacturer stats are only complete since 1979, not since the start of the WRC, and as long as he doesn't claim otherwise, I don't see any problems.

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Originally Posted by kabouter

In the first line of his post LazioCenturion states that the statistics are only going back to 1979: "I compiled a list of the Driver's and Manufacturer's Champions back to 1979". I think he's aware the manufacturer stats are only complete since 1979, not since the start of the WRC, and as long as he doesn't claim otherwise, I don't see any problems.

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Hi Tjeerd,
I noticed that, but IMO statistics must be done on a representative period.
Drivers' one are OK because Championship started in 79, but not Manufacturers.
LazioCenturion you have done a big work :up: numbers are OK but not Stats.
I'm not aggressive in my posts :p : :D

The stats makes Sweden look rather good: it some consolation when thinking abt our positition in rallying of today :(

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kabouter

I agree, the manufacturers are Japanese. It's a championship for manufacturers, not for teams.

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Then, wouldn't Ford's titles by that logic go to the USA?

A couple of things:

1) I suppose one could add the 1973 to 1978 manufacturer's titles if you want. My stats focus was always on the driver's championship, so I have not done much with the preceeding 6 seasons.

2) I am aware there are other sites with some of these stats. This was just a little posting along the lines of my stats for each rally.

3) Nicky Grist did not actually win a co-driving title but took over half-way through Juha Kankkunen's 1993 season. So I suppose one could categorize that in several ways. (Juha Piironen was the initial co-driver until he had a stroke or embalysm or something like that).

4) On the topic of Manufacturer's and Countries. I have seen on several sites, this stat listed in some form. Subaru, Mitsubishi and Toyota are Japanese manufactures and so that is why I labeled them as such.

With Ford, I know they are an American Company. However, often the nation of record on the sames sites mentioned previously is Great Britain. So, I am not sure if Ford is incorporated in both countries or what. Thankfully my info is not set in stone, so if someone can clarify this, or any other piece of information, I would be glad to make adjustments.

Thanks for all your feedback and help. I am just having fun.

I think you're doing excellent job LazioCenturion :up:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by LazioCenturion

A couple of things:

1) I suppose one could add the 1973 to 1978 manufacturer's titles if you want. My stats focus was always on the driver's championship, so I have not done much with the preceeding 6 seasons.

2) I am aware there are other sites with some of these stats. This was just a little posting along the lines of my stats for each rally.

3) Nicky Grist did not actually win a co-driving title but took over half-way through Juha Kankkunen's 1993 season. So I suppose one could categorize that in several ways. (Juha Piironen was the initial co-driver until he had a stroke or embalysm or something like that).

4) On the topic of Manufacturer's and Countries. I have seen on several sites, this stat listed in some form. Subaru, Mitsubishi and Toyota are Japanese manufactures and so that is why I labeled them as such.

With Ford, I know they are an American Company. However, often the nation of record on the sames sites mentioned previously is Great Britain. So, I am not sure if Ford is incorporated in both countries or what. Thankfully my info is not set in stone, so if someone can clarify this, or any other piece of information, I would be glad to make adjustments.

Thanks for all your feedback and help. I am just having fun.

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Oh no, I am not going to tell anyone that Ford's titles belong to America, I would have my head cut off and served to Her Majesty on a silver platter.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by LazioCenturion

With Ford, I know they are an American Company. However, often the nation of record on the sames sites mentioned previously is Great Britain. So, I am not sure if Ford is incorporated in both countries or what. Thankfully my info is not set in stone, so if someone can clarify this, or any other piece of information, I would be glad to make adjustments.

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By any corporate standard, Ford is wholly American. While they have historically had production facilities in the UK and Germany, there is no separate stock-issuing entity than Ford Motor Company in the US and the corporate profits (or losses) all roll up to the parent company.

So I think if Mitsubishi, Subaru, and Toyota are considered Japanese, it seems equitable to attribute Ford's manufacturer wins to America, despite the fact that the new Focus isn't sold here, and most Americans have never seen a Focus WRC car. Strange indeed!

Cool stuff, Lazio!

Even stranger considering Ford don't build any "Ford" brand cars in the UK anymore!

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Originally Posted by Bjorn240

By any corporate standard, Ford is wholly American. While they have historically had production facilities in the UK and Germany, there is no separate stock-issuing entity than Ford Motor Company in the US and the corporate profits (or losses) all roll up to the parent company.

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In fact, there is. Or rather, was. Ford Motor Co had separate national arms for importing cars to various countries around the world and at least here in Finland, that importer was even listed in national stock exchange until Ford bought it out. Those days stock rules said that only companies registered and based in Finland were eligible for listing so Ford Finland was stock-issuing entity you speak of.

However, FMC was the biggest shareholder and as I said, eventually bought the subsidiary off. And you're correct on that Ford is single group where all profits roll to US. Profits, because Ford's European operations are on green while US operations are at (great) loss at the moment.

So, for all purposes and intentions, Ford should be counted as US entity.

Given that I operate one of those statistics sites that were referenced to, I feel a need to put in a word. First of all, I think that this thread is interesting and not at all detrimental to statistics sites, quite the contrary.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by LazioCenturion

1) I suppose one could add the 1973 to 1978 manufacturer's titles if you want. My stats focus was always on the driver's championship, so I have not done much with the preceeding 6 seasons.

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This one is simple: you should. You're correct having a view that there must be a cut-off rule - otherwise you'd end up collecting data for first cow-race held in early stone age. My cut-off rule runs at championship edge, when there was only a cup I am not interested but once it is awarded a championship status it becomes meaningful. Artificial, I know but championship brings something of a composition and order to the things.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by LazioCenturion

2) I am aware there are other sites with some of these stats. This was just a little posting along the lines of my stats for each rally.

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I already mentioned that I feel this thread to be good but let me elaborate a little. As my point above proves, statistics can be counted differently based on rules they follow. Some statistics follow easily acceptable rules, for example there can only be one winner so wins are wasy to count. But that opens up the question, winners of what events? Do winners of rounds that were only manufacturer scoring rounds count? If not, 1973-1978 wouldn't count but neither would Sweden 1989 (it counted only towards WCD). And the classic: how about San Remo 1986?

These rulings are an integral part of any statistics and while I think that I've found a good compromise, there always is room for discussion. Just recently I was updating the code on my site and was left wondering whether I should treat Alpine in conjunction with Renault in similar fashion that Datsun and Nissan are. I decided against this because Nissan is simply Datsun's connotation but Alpine was a separate company from Renault (although no longer independent at the time when they won WRC rounds).

These rules are a point where I think a lot of gray areas exist and I'd appreciate discussion around the hazy edges.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by LazioCenturion

3) Nicky Grist did not actually win a co-driving title but took over half-way through Juha Kankkunen's 1993 season. So I suppose one could categorize that in several ways. (Juha Piironen was the initial co-driver until he had a stroke or embalysm or something like that).

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Two things here. First of all, co-drivers have not had championship title as long as drivers have. Unfortunately I have not found any reference as to when they first got the title or who've been co-driver champions. FIA rules today say that there is one but Thorszelius certainly wasn't the first one. Anyone got a light on this, please shed it.

Secondly, Grist ran only five events alongside Kankkunen in 1993 while Delecour's second, Daniel Grataloup, ran on nine events. Daniel's score would be equal to that of Delecour, ie. 112 pts whereas Grist would have scored only following:
Monte with Schwarz: 6th = 6 pts
Acropolis with Schwarz:3rd = 12 pts
Argentina with Kankkunen: 1st = 20 pts
New Zealand with Kankkunen: 5th = 8 pts
Finland with Schwarz: 9th = 2 pts
Australia with Kankkunen: 1st = 20 pts
Catalunya with Kankkunen: 3rd = 12 pts
Great Britain with Kankkunen: 1st= 20 pts
total of 100 points

In all, Grist was co-driver of driver's world champion but certainly not co-driver champion. Grataloup was if there was any.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by LazioCenturion

4) On the topic of Manufacturer's and Countries. I have seen on several sites, this stat listed in some form. Subaru, Mitsubishi and Toyota are Japanese manufactures and so that is why I labeled them as such.

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I myself view this rather meaningless statistics for a number of reasons. There is admittedly some national pride attached to it but since big automobile companies do not exactly spring up every day, what's the point? Those countries that have manufacturers of cars almost automatically feature in this category. Perhaps only Korea is a new entrant but besides that, manufacturer nation stats doesn't change much.

If one is insisted to include it, the origin of the manufacturer is obviously the deciding one, not that one of the team. Admittedly, the team does the work but take the case of TTE for example. It was run by a swede with crew of at least dozen other nationalities. First based in shed in Sweden, then in Belgium, then in UK and later Germany. What nationality one would use? Japan is the only correct one and not only for the sake of simplicity.


Excuse me for my long rant but my interest to this topic should be obvious. And to anyone who cared to read this far: I extend an invitation to contribute to the discussion and I reserve a right to incorporate any good ideas to my site. :)

How often you upgrade the stats Jonkka ? And does it take much of your time to keep up with your site?

Well, I tend to agree with jonkka 99%.
The remaining 1% goes to the "nationality" of Ford. Even if I agree that it's become impossible and unnecessary to attach nationalites to teams, or rather to manufacturers, I somehow always considered Ford as British, and in my mind that will never change.
Especially when Americans had nothing to do with the cars Ford competed with, and indeed showed very little interest in the whole thing.

That's just my 2cents, tho.

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Originally Posted by Kaps

Well, I tend to agree with jonkka 99%.
The remaining 1% goes to the "nationality" of Ford. Even if I agree that it's become impossible and unnecessary to attach nationalites to teams, or rather to manufacturers, I somehow always considered Ford as British, and in my mind that will never change.
Especially when Americans had nothing to do with the cars Ford competed with, and indeed showed very little interest in the whole thing.

That's just my 2cents, tho.

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Which is exactly why I wouldn't argue that Ford's rally programme should be credited to the US. I am not even sure that the funding for the WRC programme actually comes out of Detroit, I would be surprised if it did.

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Originally Posted by A.F.F.

How often you upgrade the stats Jonkka ? And does it take much of your time to keep up with your site?

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Sorry for late answer, been busy :eek:

Basically I update the online version of the site weekly, mainly Wednesdays. I have a version on my own computers that I update with new results as events take place and with old results as I get them. With so many old events still having uncomplete results, updating takes place almost every day of the week.

Site is my main hobby so it does take up a lot of time. I've never counted hours, though.

Good input Lazio, i too am crazy for WRC stats i'm doing since i was a kid, in 79. Don't have a website though, it's all on HDDs via Excel.

Even though the informations are available through other websites, it's always interesting to have it in one place, and this is the right place. :up:

On my part i think nationality stats worth being mentioned because when one dives into stats, it makes sense to go through the work and mention them.

Funny note that only people who don't have their cars involved in the WRC wouldn't find the nationality tally interesting and would raise nationality pride as an argument. :)

I share the same opinion with others that nationality is sometimes hard to determine for teams like Ford, Toyota, Sub, Mitsu. But since the intention of world rallying, the funding, the sporting and marketing policies even adapted to foreign countries are respectively originated from the USA and Japan i'd give them both the nationality credit of their titles.

And it doesn't take anything from the supermen located in Cumbria, Köln, Banbury or Rugby who made their overseas employer's dreams come true. :)