Silly Season 2026

[BobJones]

Is he full time driving, or full time driving for manufacturer points? That is the question.

With Evans + Solberg + Pajari + Katsuta + partial Ogier, and three drivers for manu points per team in any given rally, there is a lot still to be revealed.

Will they go for a second team again? This year Pajari drove for Toyota 2 for manu points, which blocked him from driving for main team, presumably to minimise mental pressure. Next year, who knows?

Agreed, this is the key point - I suspect Solberg goes straight to the first team, and Katsuta drives alongside Sami in the 'b-team', apart from on rallies where Ogier skips.

[Morte66]

Agreed, this is the key point - I suspect Solberg goes straight to the first team, and Katsuta drives alongside Sami in the 'b-team', apart from on rallies where Ogier skips.

I think they'll have to be a little careful over eligibility, so their 4th driver can remain eligible to drive for manu points in the main team if there's an injury/illness in the top three. I think if you drive for manu points in the second team, that stops you doing it in the first team for the rest of the season.

I assume Evans and Ogier (when entered) will always be nominated for manu points, but it'll be interesting to see who else. I expect the de facto "#3" driver will be whoever else is nominated for manu points at Monte. And whoever they additionally nominate in Sweden (assuming Ogier skips it) will be #4.

[EstWRC]

Latvala to Delfi Estonia: "I think every driver, when their contract is about to expire, starts to look around and ask the teams what the options are. Ott also contacted us and asked about the situation, but we had the lineup together by then," Latvala commented.

[Sulland]

Ford/MSport
- ?
- ?
- ?

Maybe:
- Sesks
- Mikkelsen
- Brynildsen


Hyundai
- Neuville
- Fourmaux
- ?

Maybe
- Mikkelsen
- Gryazin

Toyota
- Evans
- Solberg
- Pajari
- ?
- Ogier, part time

Maybe
- Katsuta

Who have I forgotten and who else do you see in the race for a seat?

[AndersX]

Latvala to Delfi Estonia: "I think every driver, when their contract is about to expire, starts to look around and ask the teams what the options are. Ott also contacted us and asked about the situation, but we had the lineup together by then," Latvala commented.

Latvala killed all the buzz. If this is as they report, then most probably Tanak did not like to keep driving that Sh...Box and as Toyota was fully booked, he better spend time with the family, recharge and returns on white horse from Italy.

[EstWRC]

Latvala killed all the buzz. If this is as they report, then most probably Tanak did not like to keep driving that Sh...Box and as Toyota was fully booked, he better spend time with the family, recharge and returns on white horse from Italy.

Well that’s quite obvious, like dirtish said Hyundai offered him even more money but he still walked away.

He just had enough

[deephouse]

With Latvala said this and with Tanak/Jarveoja's claim "for now", it could be that they will be back in 2027. Maybe he will secretly prepare with Rally2 cars (Lancia, Toyota, Skoda maybe...) to instantly attack 2027 championship, when most of Rally1 drivers will not be ready (in case the championship will go down this route and seems more and more likely it will be that case)

[1988senna]

Colin Clark's full thoughts on Tänak's decision are available on Club DirtFish

https://www.patreon.com/posts/colin-clarks-to-143173871

Anybody have the subscribe member ? can tell us what's the Colin conclusion?

[BobJones]

Toyota
- Evans
- Solberg
- Pajari
- ?
- Ogier, part time

Maybe
- Katsuta

Katsuta is confirmed.

[Kenneth]

Agreed, this is the key point - I suspect Solberg goes straight to the first team, and Katsuta drives alongside Sami in the 'b-team', apart from on rallies where Ogier skips.

Iirc it's not possible to change a team mid season, so Taka will probably drive in main team, just won't be nominated when Ogi would skip an event.