WRC 2027 rules to offer powertrain flexibility and component cost cap
The 2027 World Rally Championship regulations are likely to offer manufacturers a range of powertrain options and cars that will be significantly cheaper through a cost cap on components. The WRC’s 2027 ruleset for the future of Rally1 and Rally2 is expected to be revealed at next month’s World Motor Sport Council, although Motorsport.com understands […]
World champion Neuville joins WRC stars for Monza Rally Show
Newly crowned world champion Thierry Neuville will headline a host of World Rally Championship stars set to compete at the Monza Rally Show next month. The event has returned this year to celebrate Pirelli’s four-year stint as the WRC’s sole tyre supplier with the championship set to welcome South Korean tyre manufacturer Hankook to provide […]
What is expected from Toyota’s new WRC rising star?
Sami Pajari has won the Junior WRC and now clinched the WRC2 crown, but the “hard work” starts now as the Finn prepares to join the World Rally Championship elite in 2025. Toyota has put its faith in Finland’s latest prospect to come from its storied rally driver production line by handing the 22-year-old a […]
Hyundai «needs to do better» and learn from “painful» WRC title defeat
Hyundai “needs to do better” and learn from Ott Tanak’s Rally Japan accident that contributed to a “painful” World Rally Championship manufacturers’ title defeat, according to team principal Cyril Abiteboul. The Korean marque missed out on a first manufacturers’ title since 2020 in dramatic circumstances on the final day of the season at last weekend’s […]
Toyota expands WRC driver line-up for 2025, Kankkunen lands management role
Toyota will expand its World Rally Championship entry to five cars at selected events next year following confirmation Sami Pajari will join the team for a maiden full-time Rally1 campaign. Fresh from sealing the WRC manufacturers’ title in dramatic fashion at last weekend’s Rally Japan, Toyota has unveiled its 2025 plans, which also include four-time […]
Rally Japan organisers hit with hefty €50,000 fine for safety breach
Rally Japan organisers have been fined €50,000 and issued an additional €100,000 suspended fine after an unauthorised vehicle ventured onto a live stage at the World Rally Championship season finale. A minivan entered stage 12 (Ena) on Saturday morning, forcing officials to cancel the test after six of the eight Rally1 crews posted times. Television […]
Toyota’s final stage WRC manufacturer triumph in Japan an «amazing story»
Toyota snatching the World Rally Championship manufacturers’ crown on the final stage of the season was a great advert for rallying, according to team boss Jari-Matti Latvala. The Japanese brand overhauled an unlikely 15-point deficit to Hyundai coming into the Japan season finale, culminating in an extraordinary final stage showdown. They were tied on points […]
WRC title a reward for “years of fighting and never giving up”
Thierry Neuville has said his ability to keep calm in moments of adversity and his «never give up» attitude were key to finally clinching the World Rally Championship title. The five-time WRC runner-up (2013, 2016-2019) took the last step and became a world champion after finishing sixth in a dramatic season finale in Japan. Having […]
How Neuville’s long and winding road led to WRC glory
Thierry Neuville clinched a career-defining maiden World Rally Championship title in dramatic circumstances at this weekend’s Rally Japan. Often regarded among the best drivers never to win a WRC title, the Belgian can now lay that claim to rest after he and co-driver Martijn Wydaeghe beat Hyundai team-mate Ott Tanak and co-driver Martin Jarveoja to a […]