Hyundai enacts contingency plan after WRC Kenya fuel issue
Neuville’s i20 N was struck by a fuel system issue at Safari Rally Kenya that ended any hopes of a podium finish. The problem resulted in the Belgian losing more than 10 minutes, dropping from second to fifth overall. At the time Neuville, who leads Toyota’s Elfyn Evans by six points in the championship, felt […]
WRC 2025 rules limbo creating “critical” situation for teams
Toyota, Hyundai and M-Sport-Ford collectively wrote to the FIA opposing the governing body’s recommendations for next year, that include the removal of hybrid power from Rally1 cars alongside a reduction in aero and power. The thinking behind the FIA’s vision is to bring the Rally1 car more into line with the performance of Rally2 cars, […]
Why tough love has allowed Fourmaux to reach new WRC heights
Three rounds into the 2024 World Rally Championship season, a compelling case could be made for Adrien Fourmaux to be classed as the driver of the season so far. The Frenchman has turned heads on his full-time Rally1 return, exceeding both his and the M-Sport Ford team’s expectations to sit third in the championship standings. […]
Ireland’s bid to rejoin the WRC in 2025 halted
Ireland had tabled a bid to secure a three-year contract to host the WRC, beginning from 2025, which planned to bring the championship back to the country for the first time since 2009. Motorsport Ireland announced in January a plan to rotate the rally through three locations; Waterford, Kerry and Limerick, across the three-year deal, should […]
Toyota to field Ogier and Rovanpera in WRC Portugal line-up
The reigning world champion squad has announced that it will field both of its part-time crews in the same event for the first time this season, on Portugal’s gravel roads from 9-12 May. Two-time world champion Rovanpera and eight-time WRC title winner Ogier will pilot GR Yaris Rally1 cars alongside full-timers Elfyn Evans and Takamoto […]
Hyundai to mark Breen anniversary with tribute livery, charity auction support
The popular Irishman lost his life on 13 April last year after succumbing to injuries sustained in a testing crash, driving for Hyundai ahead of the Croatia round last year. To mark the one-year anniversary of the tragic loss, Hyundai has set up an online auction of special items with all the proceeds going to […]
M-Sport set to debut WRC Puma upgrade in Croatia
The British squad has been working on the aerodynamic performance upgrade since last year, before opting to delay its rollout until the 2024 season. Following a successful test last week, the team has confirmed that it plans to fit the new component to its cars for next week’s asphalt rally. Drivers Adrien Fourmaux and Gregoire […]
FIA confident of “collaborative solutions” to WRC teams’ 2025 concerns
WRC teams Toyota, Hyundai and M-Sport-Ford collectively penned a letter to the world motorsport governing body last week expressing a desire for the current Rally1 technical regulations to remain in place until the end of 2026. The move came in response to the release of the FIA’s vision for the future of top-level rallying, issued […]
Katsuta identifies «next step» required to claim first WRC win
The Toyota driver recorded a fifth career WRC podium finish earlier this month after finishing second at Safari Rally Kenya. The result equalled the Japanese driver’s best finish, also achieved in Kenya when he finished runner-up to Sebastien Ogier in 2021. Competing in his fifth season in the WRC’s top flight, Katsuta has enjoyed rapid […]