WRC2 news & rumors 2026

[PLuto]

And Jasper?
Just being junior Toyota factory driver..

Jasper is very good and talented driver. I have nothing against him. I am happy he is part of Toyota programme. It will help him also to cover the costs for his improvement. Only what I am criticising (for a long time) is "strange" and "mindless" programme of events for all their drivers... You can see that after Katsuta, they were not able to produce any driver able to fight for higher places in any championship. I am sure that Jasper will be over all other drivers in their programme, but not because of this programme, but because he started out of this programme... For sure for Jasper is better to drive anywhere than stay at home. But I still think that more suitable programme should be better for him and his progress.

[Rallyper]

Jasper is very good and talented driver. I have nothing against him. I am happy he is part of Toyota programme. It will help him also to cover the costs for his improvement. Only what I am criticising (for a long time) is "strange" and "mindless" programme of events for all their drivers... You can see that after Katsuta, they were not able to produce any driver able to fight for higher places in any championship. I am sure that Jasper will be over all other drivers in their programme, but not because of this programme, but because he started out of this programme... For sure for Jasper is better to drive anywhere than stay at home. But I still think that more suitable programme should be better for him and his progress.

Agree. But details remain to be official about his programme. Or are they publical?

You can do tests on a 5 K stage over and over again, just to learn driving smart and skillful. Or you let him drive rallies whatever they may be situated and whatever grade of competion. And learning will be even better. I recommend the latter. Maybe just what Toyota are doing...

[flat_right]

Agree. But details remain to be official about his programme. Or are they publical?

You can do tests on a 5 K stage over and over again, just to learn driving smart and skillful. Or you let him drive rallies whatever they may be situated and whatever grade of competion. And learning will be even better. I recommend the latter. Maybe just what Toyota are doing...

Program is public. https://toyotagazooracing.com/challe...calendar/2026/ and press on Global

Upcoming events.

• May 22–24 Royal Rally of Scandinavia (Sweden) ERC
• June 12–13 Jyväskylä Rally (Finland) Finnish & Estonian Championships
• July 16–19 Rally Estonia WRC (WRC2/Rally2 Debut)
• July 30 – Aug 2 Secto Rally Finland WRC
• September Two Asphalt Rallies (TBD) European Events
• October 9–11 Rally de Portugal (ERC) ERC

I think it is a decent calendar. Jaspar has said it many times in the interviews that this year's goal is not speed but to get experience. And this "goal" definitely comes from the people who advise him. And as we can see he will get his comparison with ERC and WRC regulars. Of course you could throw him into deep water but it could backfire when he would maybe push too much to be on pace with regular drivers. Let him develop in his own speed and let's see in couple of years where he is. The speed is there, everyone can see that but what he needs is some experience.

[Kenneth]

I'm not an expert, but it's his first season coming into 4WD and his goal is to gain experience, obviously.

If he had more complete programme, there would the pressure to get results, even if everyone would say results don't matter, the pressure would be there.

Having seamingly random events allows them to focus purely on gaining the experience. Sure, there are obvious downsides as you said, but it isn't as important in year 1.

Also idk if event selection is the reason why Toyota haven't produced any other driver than Katsuta. Even Katsuta wasn't consistently fighting at the top until this season. Which is his 10th year as Toyota driver btw, and 6th as full-time WRC driver.

[deephouse]

Katsuta was on a verge for a few years already, I especially think he would be out if Kalle wouldn't retire from rallying. With 2 wins he concreted his position in the team now. Also Pajari showing he could win event in a time. Toyota have such a strong lineup everywhere it's rather hard to think who could be replaced. Now also Tanak knocking on the door again. But in a year or few years when Ogier will retire full time, Toyota could have Vasper or Yamamoto or who he is again ready to step up.

[Rallyper]

Program is public. https://toyotagazooracing.com/challe...calendar/2026/ and press on Global

Upcoming events.

• May 22–24 Royal Rally of Scandinavia (Sweden) ERC
• June 12–13 Jyväskylä Rally (Finland) Finnish & Estonian Championships
• July 16–19 Rally Estonia WRC (WRC2/Rally2 Debut)
• July 30 – Aug 2 Secto Rally Finland WRC
• September Two Asphalt Rallies (TBD) European Events
• October 9–11 Rally de Portugal (ERC) ERC

I think it is a decent calendar. Jaspar has said it many times in the interviews that this year's goal is not speed but to get experience. And this "goal" definitely comes from the people who advise him. And as we can see he will get his comparison with ERC and WRC regulars. Of course you could throw him into deep water but it could backfire when he would maybe push too much to be on pace with regular drivers. Let him develop in his own speed and let's see in couple of years where he is. The speed is there, everyone can see that but what he needs is some experience.

Agree completely. Driving rallies, competition or not, is best way of having a learning process.

[trykmann]

Katsuta was on a verge for a few years already, I especially think he would be out if Kalle wouldn't retire from rallying. With 2 wins he concreted his position in the team now. Also Pajari showing he could win event in a time. Toyota have such a strong lineup everywhere it's rather hard to think who could be replaced. Now also Tanak knocking on the door again. But in a year or few years when Ogier will retire full time, Toyota could have Vasper or Yamamoto or who he is again ready to step up.

Pajari and Katsuta have definitely improved, but a lot of their success has been due to the lack of competition from the other teams. Neuville and probably also Fourmaux are still quicker than Pajari, but Pajari is currently third in the championship standings.

[Steve Boyd]

As a Brit, I'm sorry that the British Championship is so weak these days. I'm old enought to remember when the International events in the British championship attracted drivers like Alen, Vatanen, Airikkala & Latvala from Finland to get experience before they moved on to World level. It would be great for me if Toyota thought that the BRC was a place that they could develop their new drivers, but sadly it would appear that despite the mix of gravel and tarmac the championship doesn't have the attraction that it once did.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

As a Brit, I'm sorry that the British Championship is so weak these days. I'm old enought to remember when the International events in the British championship attracted drivers like Alen, Vatanen, Airikkala & Latvala from Finland to get experience before they moved on to World level. It would be great for me if Toyota thought that the BRC was a place that they could develop their new drivers, but sadly it would appear that despite the mix of gravel and tarmac the championship doesn't have the attraction that it once did.

The BRC also had Elfyn Evans, plus Adrien Fourmaux & Romet Jürgenson in more recent times. At least M-Sport has used the Series for improving it's drivers.

[Jarek Z]

Yohan Rossel is out of Rally Portugal!

Roope Korhonen also with problems:
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid...23696733119916

Teemu Suninen new leader of WRC2!