[WRC] News & Rumours 2021

[mknight]

There were rumors about Monza replacing Japan for a few months already, so very likely they are prepared.

If it's one day or even only a few stages at the circuit, Monza can indeed be nice. Not very likely there will be any snow as last year was pretty extraordinary weather for that date.

[Lancia Stratos]

If they want to be proactive, FiA/WRC Promoter should be contacting the Monza organisers, and putting them on standby. It's surely only a matter of time before Rally Japan is cancelled.

Just make it only one day at circuit.....

Monza has been on standby since they issued the calendar last October. It was on the reserve list then.

[AndyRAC]

Suzuka 8 Hours on 7th November now cancelled.......

[Portimao]

Rally Japan WILL BE cancelled, there are no "ifs"

[Eli]

Rally Japan WILL BE cancelled, there are no "ifs"

At this point I'd be really surprised if they wouldn't.

[Eli]

https://www.autosport.com/wrc/news/r...ation/6651184/

The World Rally Championship season finale in Japan remains scheduled to go ahead although organisers are constantly monitoring the ongoing COVID-19 situation in the country.

Japan is set to host the championship’s final round from 11-14 November although the rising number of COVID-19 cases has resulted in confirmation this week that October’s Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix will be cancelled for a second consecutive year.

MotoGP has already scrubbed its Japanese GP from its calendar earlier this year before this week’s decision to cancel the Malaysian Grand Prix, both events meant to be run in October.

The news preceded confirmation that GT and F3 World Cup races at Macau from 17-21 November have also been cancelled as the Asian region continues to battle the effects of the pandemic.

WRC has so far avoided any COVID-19 induced calendar shake ups this season but a visit to Japan could prove problematic.

As it stands, WRC personnel would be required to undertake a 14 day quarantine upon entry to Japan, which would be feasible given the current calendar structure - the previous event being Rally Spain held across 14-17 October.

For the moment Rally Japan remains scheduled to go ahead with the WRC confirming to Autosport that it is working closely with rally organisers FORUM8.
“We continue to work with FORUM8 Rally Japan organisers, alongside national and local authorities, to ensure the safe and successful holding of the event – just as we do with all events on the WRC calendar in these challenging times,” read a statement from Simon Larkin, WRC senior event director.

“We will make decisions based on the conditions related to WRC.”

However, should Rally Japan drop off the schedule, Motorsport.com’s Italian edition has reported that Rally Monza could fill the vacant final round slot, as it did last year when it concluded a significantly reduced 2020 season due to COVID-19.

The WRC is set to visit Greece for its next round of the championship with the return of the Acropolis Rally from 9-12 September.

Despite the country suffering from wild fires, Autosport understands planning for the event is going ahead as normal with the planned rally route situated away from the affected regions.

An entry list for the famous gravel event has been released which has revealed Toyota’s Takamoto Katsuta will once again be joined by Keaton Williams in the co-driver seat, as he looks set to continue to stand in for the injured Daniel Barritt.

[Fredouye]

Assuming Japan is cancelled, not replaced by Monza. The quicker the season is over, the quicker he's a champion.

I bet he’ll be champion in Spain

[AnttiL]

I bet he’ll be champion in Spain

In Finland

[Harry hairpin]

Im currently in Tokyo working on the Paralympics and we've had no hard quarantine as such. We were tested 3 times before travel and on arrival at the airport but were allowed to work at the venues the day after arrival. The quarantine rules are were only allowed at our hotel or at a venue for the first 14 days apart from 15mins/day when we can get groceries etc which is strictly monitored. So it can work without 14 days hard quarantine.

[AnttiL]

https://www.rallit.fi/rallin-mm-sarj...stajan-kanssa/

According to a Latvian site, Liepaja is negotiationg for a similar deal as Ypres, first two years in ERC and then possibly WRC in 2024. I hope not, because Liepaja is a boring rally with wide and straight roads and lots of chicanes. Unless they can spice it up with something more interesting like Estonia.