FIA closing in on WRC 2025 regulations after Estonia meeting
It is widely anticipated that an evolution of the Rally1 hybrid regulations, featuring minor changes from those introduced last year, will form the rules for 2025 and 2026, which the FIA has been working towards for several months. As previously reported, the formalisation of the regulations hinges on reaching a deal with a hybrid unit […]
FIA launches WRC tyre tender for 2025
Italian tyre manufacturer Pirelli is currently the official tyre supplier to all categories within the WRC after winning the FIA’s last WRC tyre tender in 2019 to supply tyres from 2021 to 2024. This included the last season of the WRC generation car and the first three campaigns under Rally1 hybrid regulations. French brand Michelin […]
Estonia WRC comeback drive proved “I belong at this level»
Suninen returned to rallying’s top tier last weekend after receiving a call up from Hyundai to drive the third i20 N Rally1 that has been shared between Dani Sordo and the late Craig Breen this season. Estonia marked Suninen’s first top-level WRC outing since standing in for Ott Tanak at Hyundai for the 2021 Rally […]
Five things you may have missed
1. Kalle Rovanpera at his very best is Sebastien Loeb-like Kalle Rovanpera racked up his 10th World Rally Championship victory of his already record-breaking career but last weekend’s runaway performance was perhaps his best yet. The reigning world champion’s slow start to his title defence this year raised questions that were answered by his dominant […]
Нассер аль-Аттия покинет Toyota и станет пилотом Dacia на «Дакаре»
Пятикратный победитель ралли-марафона «Дакар» Нассер аль-Аттия прекращает сотрудничество с маркой Toyota. По окончании гонки Desafio Ruta 40 в Аргентине, где катарец может досрочно стать двукратным чемпионом World Rally-Raid Championship, пилот завершит работу с командой Toyota Gazoo Racing, за которую он выступал на протяжении семи последних лет. Как сообщает Marca, действующий контракт аль-Аттии с Toyota истекает […]
WRC Sunday format tweak, new points structure under discussion for 2024
The WRC is currently undergoing an extensive review in a bid to improve its appeal following recent criticism from drivers, teams and fans. A list of ideas put forward by stakeholders has been collated following several meetings over the last two months. The WRC Promoter and FIA are now working on a proposal of changes […]
Losing Estonia from 2024 WRC calendar «a big shame»
The high-speed gravel rally is likely to be omitted from the 2024 calendar with neighbouring Latvia already confirmed to be joining next year’s schedule. Long-time European Rally Championship event, Rally Liepaja is expected to take Estonia’s place. Estonia made its WRC debut in 2020 becoming the first rally of WRC’s return from its hiatus following […]
Second at WRC Rally Estonia felt like a “victory” for Neuville
The Hyundai driver emerged as the best of the rest behind a dominant rally winner Kalle Rovanpera last weekend, finishing 52.7s behind the inspired Toyota driver who recorded 13 consecutive stage wins. While the gap to the winner was significant, Neuville delivered arguably his best showing on fast, smooth gravel stages since finishing second at […]
Rovanpera WRC Estonia domination ‘Loeb like’, says Latvala
Rovanpera produced arguably the most crushing WRC victory of his career to date to defeat Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville by 46.5s on Estonia’s fast gravel roads. The reigning world rally champion emerged in the rally lead on Friday despite opening the road. He then went unbeaten across Saturday and Sunday, racking up 13 consecutive stage wins […]