Before the last stage, every driver can only win or lose 1 position. The leader will at least finish 2nd, etc.
But that could, potentially, decide a championship (1997 for example, Tommi and Colin (again) finished the championship with 1 point difference). (hoping one day Championships will be that close again...!)
Even the president of French Federation himself is going to compete in Rome :)
https://www.fiaerc.com/en/news/pierres-ragues-to-driving-improvement-riches-in-erc
it is, end of the year. (but i don't know about anyone developing a new rally2, just people upgraing )
WRC mainclass from 2027