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Ogier withdraws from WRC Rally Poland after reconnaissance crash

Опубликовано от ASPPA IMAGES ANO


Toyota World Rally Championship driver Sebastien Ogier has avoided serious injuries following a Rally Poland reconnaissance crash, but will withdraw from this week’s event.

Eight-time world rally champion Ogier and co-driver Landais were taken to hospital on Tuesday morning for medical checks after being involved in a road traffic accident.

Ogier and Landais were driving a GR Yaris reconnaissance car which collided with another vehicle. The driver and passenger of the other car involved and two members of the public were also hospitalised.

The incident occurred while the duo were preparing their pacenotes for the Goldap special stage, which forms Stage 10 and Stage 14 for what would have been Ogier’s fifth round of a partial WRC campaign, following wins in Croatia and Portugal and second places in Monte Carlo and Sardinia.

Toyota has confirmed that everyone involved in the crash has avoided serious injuries, but Ogier and Landais will no longer compete in the seventh round of the WRC season as a pairing. The event’s first stage is due to begin on Friday.

«Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT crew Sebastien Ogier and Vincent Landais were taken to hospital for checks following a road traffic collision during reconnaissance for Rally Poland on Tuesday morning,» read the statement.

«Two occupants of the other vehicle involved, members of the public, were also taken to hospital for medical checks. The incident took place while Ogier and Landais were preparing for the Goldap special stage, which forms SS10 and SS14 of the rally this Saturday.

Sébastien Ogier, Vincent Landais, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1

Sébastien Ogier, Vincent Landais, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1

Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool

«Ogier and Landais were driving a road car as is the standard practice for rally reconnaissance. All recce cars have GPS tracking, which shows the speeds were within the limits set.

«All involved have underdone scans which showed no serious injuries. While Landais has been discharged, Ogier will remain under medical observation overnight and will not be able to participate in the event.

«The safety and well-being of all involved remains the upmost priority of the team. Alongside this, the team is considering its options regarding any replacement and will provide an update in due course.»

Those options could conceivably include Rovanpera, while Sami Pajari is on the ground in Poland competing in a Rally2 specification GR Yaris.  

Rising star Pajari had been set to make his Rally1 debut with the team in Latvia next month, piloting a fourth entry, before Toyota announced plans on Monday to reshuffle its plans by putting Ogier in the seat, delaying Pajari’s outing to Finland. 



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Ogier, Landais undergoing medical checks after WRC Poland reconnaissance crash

Опубликовано от ASPPA IMAGES ANO


Eight-time world rally champion Sebastien Ogier and co-driver Vincent Landais are undergoing medical checks in hospital following a crash on reconnaissance for this week’s World Rally Championship round in Poland.

The road-specification GR Yaris recce car Ogier and Landais were driving collided with another vehicle. The driver of that car and a member of the public have also been taken to hospital for checks. The full details of the accident are unclear. 

Toyota has provided a statement following the incident.

«Sebastien Ogier and Vincent Landais have been taken to hospital for checks following a road traffic collision during reconnaissance for 80 ORLEN Rally Poland, round seven of the 2024 FIA World Rally Championship,» the statement read.

«The incident took place while Ogier and Landais, who compete for Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT in the WRC, were preparing their pacenotes for the Goldap special stage, which forms SS10 and SS14 of the rally this Saturday. Ogier and Landais were driving a road car as is the standard practice for rally reconnaissance.

«The driver of the other vehicle involved, a member of the public, was also taken to hospital for medical checks.»

Julien Ingrassia, Sébastien Ogier, Vincent Landais, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT

Julien Ingrassia, Sébastien Ogier, Vincent Landais, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT

Photo by: McKlein / Motorsport Images

Poland is hosting the seventh round of the season, retuning to the calendar for the first time since 2017.

Ogier and Landais were preparing for the fifth round of their part-time campaign for Toyota.

The duo have taken victories in Croatia and Portugal and finished second in Monte Carlo and Sardinia.

A further update on Ogier’s and Landais’ condition is expected once medical checks have been completed.   

More to follow…



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Pajari to make WRC Rally1 debut in Finland as Toyota rejigs Latvia line-up

Опубликовано от ASPPA IMAGES ANO


Rising World Rally Championship star Sami Pajari will now make his Rally1 debut in Finland instead of Latvia following a change to Toyota’s driver line-up.

Toyota announced last month that Pajari and co-driver Enni Malkonen will step up from driving a Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 car in WRC2 to pilot a fourth GR Yaris Rally1 at the gravel rally that will make its WRC debut from 18-21 July.

However, the reigning world champion team has now decided to make an alteration to its plan. Pajari and Malkonen will now contest their home round Rally Finland from 1-4 August, with Toyota planning to field Sebastien Ogier in a fourth GR Yaris Rally1 for Latvia, alongside regulars Elfyn Evans, Takamoto Katsuta and part-time and two-time world champion driver Kalle Rovanpera.

Rovanpera was originally set to drive in Latvia and is also expected to contest his home round in Finland. 

“The decision for Pajari to compete in Finland has been taken in consultation with the driver while considering the best possible conditions for his debut. Before the event he will have the opportunity to test in the team’s local area near its base in Central Finland, on roads that are similar in character to those used in Rally Finland: an event Pajari is naturally familiar with,” read a statement from the team.

“The change in schedule also opens up the possibility for the team to enter Rally Latvia with the strongest available line-up of regular crews across its four entries, with full-season drivers Elfyn Evans and Takamoto Katsuta to be joined by world champions Kalle Rovanpera and Sebastien Ogier.”

Winner WRC2 Sami Pajari, Enni Mälkönen, Printsport Toyota GR Yaris Rally2

Winner WRC2 Sami Pajari, Enni Mälkönen, Printsport Toyota GR Yaris Rally2

Photo by: McKlein / Motorsport Images

Eight-time world champion Ogier says he is happy to add Latvia to his plans to help the team in its quest to retain its manufacturers’ title, after scoring two wins and a pair of second place finishes from his four events to date.

“It was not the original plan for me to be in Latvia, but the opportunity came up after analysing together with the team the situation in both the manufacturers’ and drivers’ championships,” said Ogier.

“There was a desire from the team for me to do some more events and that’s something that I‘ve gladly accepted. I want to give back to the team and thank them for allowing me the opportunity to continue driving with them in the way that I have done the last three years. I’m enjoying the season so far and the strong performances we’ve had.”

Pajari is also looking forward to making his first Rally1 foray on more familiar roads compared to those of Latvia which will make its WRC debut.

“It is even more special to be making my Rally1 debut at home. Latvia would have been a new rally for everyone and an equal start for me in a way, but in Finland of course I know the stages generally very well and our testing will be in Finland, so to have that chance to prepare the car on roads that are very similar to the rally will be a good help for me,” said Pajari.

“And in terms of the emotions, it’s even nicer to have this chance in Finland and I’m extremely looking forward to the event.

“To drive this car on those stages will be something really cool and also really demanding: they’re very high-speed roads and I will need to learn how the aerodynamics are working.

“But this is all about trying to learn as much as we can. Of course, I will try to enjoy it too because it’s like a dream come true, but the main target is just to gain the experience. I’m really excited for it.”

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WRC adds Paraguay to 2025 calendar in multi-year deal

Опубликовано от ASPPA IMAGES ANO



The 2025 World Rally Championship calendar is edging closer to completion following the news Paraguay is set to make its debut next season.

The WRC has been eyeing a 14-round schedule for 2025 that provides a more global calendar than it has been able to contest in recent seasons following the Covid-19 pandemic.

Two events in the South America region had been targeted as key goal for 2025, which has now been realised. Earlier this year Paraguay and Argentina emerged as options, with the former now securing a multi-year deal, becoming the 38th country to host a WRC round. It is expected to join fellow South American nation Chile on next year’s schedule, after rejoining the WRC last year following its debut in 2019.

The announcement was made on Saturday evening in the Paraguayan capital Asunción by president Santiago Peña at the ceremonial start of Petrobras Rally Transchaco 2024 – the third round of the Paraguayan national championship.

“Paraguay is big, and the world is in the process of discovering us. Hosting world class events such as the WRC, is yet another way to show the world our greatness,” said president Peña.

A thriving rally scene is among the reasons why the WRC is keen to add Paraguay to its suite of events. The last eleven editions of the FIA South American Rally Championship have also been won by Paraguayan drivers, while Fabrizio Zaldivar has become an established WRC2 competitor and Diego Dominguez is among the Junior WRC and WRC3 title favourites.

“We have been in discussions with Paraguay already for a number of years and I am incredibly pleased to see this agreement across the line,” expressed WRC event director Simon Larkin, who attended the launch.

“There is no questioning the nation’s passion for rallying and we cannot wait to transmit this passion, as well as Paraguay’s spectacular scenery around the world.”

Paraguay’s date on the 2025 WRC calendar is yet to be confirmed. The gravel rally will however be based out of the southern city of Encarnacion. Stages will take place throughout the Itapua region, which annually hosts a round of the FIA South American Rally Championship.

Paraguay’s inclusion on the 2025 calendar follows the announcement that the WRC will also be heading to Saudi Arabia next year, as part of a 10-year deal that will bring the championship to the Middle East nation for the first time.

It will be the third new round in 2025 following confirmation that Rally Islas Canarias will graduate from the European Rally Championship to host the WRC for the first time, as Spain rejoins the calendar.

Paraguay appears likely to be among the final pieces in resolving the 2025 WRC calendar that is expected to be finalised in July.

In addition to the new events, it has been confirmed that Poland will drop off the schedule following its appearance this year, and Estonia will return in place of Latvia, which will make its debut this year after earning promotion from the ERC.

The WRC confirmed in April that it was working to extend the contract with Croatia which is in the final year of its agreement.

It is anticipated that Monte Carlo will open the campaign while Sweden, Kenya, Portugal, Italy (Sardinia), Finland, Greece, Chile and Japan are expected to feature.

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M-Sport reveals Ford Puma for WRC Rally1 debutant Sesks

Опубликовано от ASPPA IMAGES ANO


Martins Sesks is all set to make his top-flight World Rally Championship debut now the covers have come off the non-hybrid powered Ford Puma Rally1 car he will pilot.

Sesks is set to make his Rally1 debut on Poland’s gravel roads next week which hosts the seventh round of the WRC. The event is part of a two-round deal, that includes Sesks’ home round in Latvia (18-21 July), which has been made possible thanks to a collaboration between the driver, M-Sport and the WRC Promoter.

As part of the arrangement, Sesks, the 2023 European Rally Championship runner-up, is set to drive a non-hybrid Ford Puma Rally1 car, marking its first appearance at WRC level in Poland, to aid their transition to the full hybrid version of the car in Latvia.

The FIA passed regulations this year which allows teams to field Rally1 cars without hybrid units with ballast added to compensate for the weight of the plug-in hybrid system.

Sesks jumped behind the wheel of the Puma for a test day in Estonia earlier this week to aid preparations for Poland.

Martins Sesks, Renārs Francis, M-Sport Ford Puma Rally1

Martins Sesks, Renārs Francis, M-Sport Ford Puma Rally1

Photo by: M-Sport

“I’m really excited to be back competing in Poland,» said the 24-year-old Sesks. «We have some great memories here, especially after winning the ERC round last year. For sure this year is a completely different game, this will be our first event in a Rally1 car.

«The testing we did last week was something incredible, and a completely different experience to anything I’ve done before! The car reacts so quickly, and how fast it goes round corners is just so unique and indescribable to anyone who hasn’t driven the car.

“It will be a big challenge to get up to speed, but this is the goal for Poland. We will be driving non-hybrid to get use to the aerodynamics of the car, get to know the team and to get more and more ready to be in good shape for Latvia. The goal is to get the mileage, finish the rally and learn as much as we can.

“The thought and the feeling with this kind of Latvian red-inspired livery was to show how grateful we are for everything that the country has done for us.”

Sesks’ addition to the Rally Poland entry list will see M-Sport field three Ford Pumas with the Latvian joining regulars Adrien Fourmaux and Gregoire Munster. The Pumas will be up against three car entries from Toyota and Hyundai.

Martins Sesks, Renārs Francis, M-Sport Ford Puma Rally1

Martins Sesks, Renārs Francis, M-Sport Ford Puma Rally1

Photo by: M-Sport

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Ogier was «never really attracted much» by Dakar as he rules out future outing

Опубликовано от ASPPA IMAGES ANO


World Rally Championship star Sebastien Ogier has ruled out taking part in the Dakar Rally in the future, saying he has “never been really attracted” by the prospect of competing in the cross-country event.

Ogier stepped down from WRC as a full-timer at the end of the 2021 season but continues to compete in a number of rallies every year, driving the additional third/fourth car entered by Toyota.

The Frenchman has been able to show impressive speed even at the age of 40, and has finished either first or second in the four rallies he has competed so far in 2024.

Ogier’s future is a subject that has cropped up a number of times in the past, but he has always maintained that he is not interested in returning for a full season.

One possibility that has been suggested is an entry into Dakar, which has become a common destination for former WRC drivers after they retire from the series. Toyota also has a factory presence in the Saudi Arabia-based rally raid, making it a logical choice for Ogier.

However, the eight-time WRC champion has made it clear that he has no plans to enter Dakar in the coming years, saying he would prefer to switch to circuit racing instead.

“It hasn’t been on my list yet,» he said. «I think testing the car, I will always be for it. It’s always a fun experience.

Sébastien Ogier, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT

Sébastien Ogier, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT

Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool

“But at the moment, I don’t know, I’ve never been really attracted that much by this race. 

«It should have been actually the normal transition for rally drivers. Very often in the past, they went to cross country rally because it was easier to adapt and I would have more chance to perform there than I would be here in Le Mans. 

“But I liked more the challenge of going on track and pushing myself, learning something new. So I think in the future if it’s not rallying, I will focus again more on track racing and endurance than Dakar.”

Since reducing his commitments in the WRC more than three years ago, Ogier has dabbled in sportscar racing, taking part in three rounds of the World Endurance Championship — including the Le Mans 24 Hours — in 2022 at the wheel of a Richard Mille-run ORECA 07 LMP2 car. 

Ogier even tested the Toyota GR010 HYBRID on two occasions and was being considered for a potential Hypercar debut at Le Mans in a third car, but an additional entry from the Japanese manufacturer never materialised.

Ogier made it clear that a return to sportscar racing is not on the cards at the moment as he continues to focus on a part-time rally programme but also admitted that a trip to Le Mans last weekend for the 24-hour enduro “gave me the wish to come back” in the future.

“I mean, never say never. There is not such a plan which is discussed at the moment,” he said. 

Sébastien Ogier, Vincent Landais, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1

Sébastien Ogier, Vincent Landais, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1

Photo by: McKlein / Motorsport Images

“But yeah, it’s true that I think rally drivers also like track racing and I think it’s always interesting to learn something new and to have some experience on track. 

“Even if it’s like really, you can talk about different disciplines. There is always some little thing you can learn on track that will help you to be an even better rally driver. 

“Kalle [Rovanpera] has also proved that he is an extremely fast rally driver. It will be interesting to follow now what he learned on track. 

«At the same time, I think it will be a bit difficult and challenging to put rally drivers together in a car during 24h of Le Mans. Maybe it will be better to mix us with some experienced track drivers personally the experience of three years ago.

“I decided to focus again a little bit more on rally as my partial programme in rally suits me very well at the moment. I prefer to stay there. But being there today, obviously watching that gave me the wish even more to come back at some point.”

Two-time and defending WRC champion Rovanpera, who has effectively succeeded Ogier in Toyota’s line-up, has also shown an inclination towards circuit racing after scaling back from his rallying commitments this year ahead of a full comeback in 2025.

The Finnish driver stated a desire to race at Le Mans 24 Hours after a strong run in a pair of Porsche Carrera Cup Benelux races at Zandvoort earlier this month.

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WRC targets 2025 for new ‘Command Centre’ to bring fans closer to action

Опубликовано от ASPPA IMAGES ANO


Dubbed the ‘Command Centre’, the concept is a part of the WRC Promoter’s plan to improve the championship’s ability to communicate unfolding stories during events to fans.

The promoter has been working with teams and manufacturers to extract more data out of the cars and increase live interaction between the crews and their teams through Formula 1-style team radio.

Live team radio is utilised by several motorsport categories. In the WRC, every stage is currently broadcast live through Rally.TV, but viewers only hear from the crews at stage ends, and when action or incidents occur during a stage, the audience is often left in the dark as to what has happened.  

The technology is undergoing testing with M-Sport set to carry out further evaluation of the systems in Estonia next week as part of their pre-event running before Rally Poland.

«We will test data and what we want to do is test the technology. We won’t create the Command Centre and the outcome of our test until Monte Carlo next year,» said WRC event director Simon Larkin, when asked for an update on the championship’s plans by Motorsport.com.

«We have tests going on with M-Sport at the evaluation centre and then at their test in Estonia coming up, so actual on-site testing.

«We have a number of technical partners working with us. We have [former Hyundai WRC boss] Andrea Adamo contracted with us to lead the project, so our plan is to test throughout this year but implement for Monte Carlo.»

Photo by: McKlein / Motorsport Images

Larkin also revealed that the Command Centre project could eventually develop into a physical structure in the service park where team representatives are housed during rallies.

«It is a name of a concept. It may well end up being a building or a physical structure but what we want to do is to create a roll-out robust useable interesting storytelling technology for Monte Carlo,» added Larkin.

«How that looks and feels may not happen in Monte Carlo, but the concept will happen. This is a data storytelling concept.»

As previously reported, the WRC is also working with helmet manufacturer Stilo to bring helmet cameras to the championship to provide a driver’s eye view of some of the toughest roads in motorsport.

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WRC champion Rovanpera reveals Le Mans ambition

Опубликовано от ASPPA IMAGES ANO


The two-time WRC champion made his circuit racing debut last weekend finishing an impressive fourth and fifth in a pair of Porsche Carrera Cup Benelux races at Zandvoort.

Rovanpera is this year expanding his motorsport horizons after making a decision to participate in a part-time WRC programme with Toyota ahead of a full-time return in 2025.

Speaking after his outing at Zandvoort, the 23-year-old Finn admitted that 24-hour races at Le Mans and the Nurburgring are on his wish list, alongside a test in Toyota’s GR010 Hybrid WEC Hypercar.

«I have always wanted to race on the circuit, and I have a few dreams, particularly 24-hour races like Le Mans or Nurburgring, but let’s first see how the races in the Porsche Carrera Cup Benelux go,» Rovanpera was quoted on Finnish rally website Rallit.fi. 

«I would really like to test it [the Toyota GR010]. You can see how well Toyota is doing in the WEC. We have to do a simulator test first and it depends on that: you have to be fast enough to drive the real car.»

Rovanpera isn’t the first Toyota WRC driver to have a desire to race at Le Mans. Eight-time world champion Sebastien Ogier, who largely shares the third GR Yaris Rally1 with Rovanpera this year, made his Le Mans 24 Hours debut in 2022, driving a Richard Mille Racing LMP2 prototype to ninth in class.

Sebastien Ogier, Toyota Gazoo Racing

Sebastien Ogier, Toyota Gazoo Racing

Photo by: Toyota Racing

Ogier also tested Toyota’s WEC Hypercar in the WEC’s 2021 Bahrain rookie test in addition to two further outings in 2022.

Following Rovanpera’s comments, Motorsport.com asked Toyota Gazoo Racing Europe director Rob Leupen at this week’s Le Mans 24 Hours about the prospect of the Finn securing a run in the WEC’s team’s simulator and a possible hypercar test.

While Leupen was unaware of Rovanpera’s desires or any discussions to test the WRC champion, he said: «We did it with Seb Ogier. Let’s see what happens. It would be a nice thing to do — he’d have a good benchmark with Seb.»

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WRC champion Rovanpera reveals Le Mans ambition

Опубликовано от ASPPA IMAGES ANO


The two-time WRC champion made his circuit racing debut last weekend finishing an impressive fourth and fifth in a pair of Porsche Carrera Cup Benelux races at Zandvoort.

Rovanpera is this year expanding his motorsport horizons after making a decision to participate in a part-time WRC programme with Toyota ahead of a full-time return in 2025.

Speaking after his outing at Zandvoort, the 23-year-old Finn admitted that 24-hour races at Le Mans and the Nurburgring are on his wish list, alongside a test in Toyota’s GR010 Hybrid WEC Hypercar.

«I have always wanted to race on the circuit, and I have a few dreams, particularly 24-hour races like Le Mans or Nurburgring, but let’s first see how the races in the Porsche Carrera Cup Benelux go,» Rovanpera was quoted on Finnish rally website Rallit.fi. 

«I would really like to test it [the Toyota GR010]. You can see how well Toyota is doing in the WEC. We have to do a simulator test first and it depends on that: you have to be fast enough to drive the real car.»

Rovanpera isn’t the first Toyota WRC driver to have a desire to race at Le Mans. Eight-time world champion Sebastien Ogier, who largely shares the third GR Yaris Rally1 with Rovanpera this year, made his Le Mans 24 Hours debut in 2022, driving a Richard Mille Racing LMP2 prototype to ninth in class.

Sebastien Ogier, Toyota Gazoo Racing

Sebastien Ogier, Toyota Gazoo Racing

Photo by: Toyota Racing

Ogier also tested Toyota’s WEC Hypercar in the WEC’s 2021 Bahrain rookie test in addition to two further outings in 2022.

Following Rovanpera’s comments, Motorsport.com asked Toyota Gazoo Racing Europe director Rob Leupen at this week’s Le Mans 24 Hours about the prospect of the Finn securing a run in the WEC’s team’s simulator and a possible hypercar test.

While Leupen was unaware of Rovanpera’s desires or any discussions to test the WRC champion, he said: «We did it with Seb Ogier. Let’s see what happens. It would be a nice thing to do — he’d have a good benchmark with Seb.»

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