2026 WRC News & Rumours

[rallyfiend]

According to Ogier the current Toyota drivers who have tested it are not fans of their WRC27 prototype. Plus they're struggling to make it better than the GR Yaris Rally2.

He implies he'll likely retire after 2026 as the new Rally2-spec cars dont interest him. He's just going to enjoy the Rally1 cars while he can, then probably try something completely different.

Probably why they've got Ott doing some testing.

None of the current drivers want to waste their time banging about in a car that's not good to drive.

[denkimi]

And then he will still driving for another 10 years on a half programme and literally every season fight for title. He tried something else and failed. He is just not that persistent as Loeb is.

ogier is 42 now, loeb's last wrc outing was greece 2022, when he was 48.

I think he will stay for some more years, but skip the events he doesn't like or that don't fit his agenda.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

But unlike for Loeb (who drove the WRC 2017 & Rally1 Hybrid) the next cars are not progressing, but will be slower and more basic.

I would put money on Ogier retiring from WRC and maybe just doing the odd rally for fun (like Loeb now), or W2RC.

[TypeR]

Good guy Evans saying it out

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Probably why they've got Ott doing some testing.

None of the current drivers want to waste their time banging about in a car that's not good to drive.

Exactly.

And if Ogier was going to continue in 2027 he'd be the first to test it.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Hayden Paddon is to return to the Ypres Rally in 2026. He and Gregoire Munster will be there in Hyundai i20 Rally2 machines.

[TypeR]

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DY1ve...FpM2ZxejRjcw==

Here's the video from ERC Sweden, where driver got penalty and DSQ for insulting a scrutineer steward..
Like I though.. BS scandal from nowhere. Saying it once, to his codriver..

Sad that there was 0 video from Tanak's cars in Finland, where he was gifted 5min penalty for supposedly hurting tyre checker..