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WRC drivers expect Portugal to deliver «most competitive» victory fight

Опубликовано от ASPPA IMAGES ANO


This weekend marks the start of the traditional gravel rally season welcoming the strongest Rally1 field of the season to date, comprising five previous Portugal winners.

Toyota has elected to field both its part-time drivers in the same event for the first time, with reigning world champion Kalle Rovanpera, a two-time Portugal winner (2022, 2023), alongside Sebastien Ogier, who has triumphed on an event record-equalling five occasions (2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2017).

The team’s title hopeful Elfyn Evans stood on the top step of the podium in 2021, while Hyundai championship rivals Thierry Neuville and Ott Tanak tasted victory in 2018 and 2019 respectively.

To add to the mix is Hyundai’s third driver Dani Sordo, who has seven Portugal podiums under his belt, ahead of his first start of the season.

Road position is often vital in Portugal due to the road-sweeping effect of the dusty gravel stages. Starting seventh and fifth on the road respectively, Rovanpera and Ogier have emerged among the early favourites.

Rovanpera is already expecting a closely fought battle for victory and is relishing the prospect of starting lower down the order.

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: Toyota Racing

«I have a feeling that this rally is going to be a really tight battle for the win, so let’s see but I’m sure it is going to be a tough one,» Rovanpera told Motorsport.com.

«It is nice to be in the mix and finally after a few years, we have a good starting road position so it will be crucial to use it well. It is always nice when you have a good battle. You need to come out of on top to feel good, but that is my job.»

For Ogier, this will be his first gravel rally since the Acropolis last September and the eight-time world champion believes there will be «no time to adapt».

«Of course, myself, Kalle and Takamoto [Katsuta] have very good starting positions and the plan is to make as many points as we can,» Ogier told Motorsport.com. «We have seen recently that points differences are difficult to make up so every time you can have the strongest line-up you can it is good to take it.

«I would not necessarily focus on Kalle right now but there is a high probability that he will be the man to beat starting from the back.

«From my side, I hope to be able to compete too even if I have had a bit of a longer break since my last gravel rally. I have to be as sharp as I can early on in the rally as we know the fight will be tight and there will be no room to just adapt to anything.»

The top two in the championship, Neuville and Evans will face the worst of the conditions and with points now awarded at the end of Saturday the pair face a challenge to maximise their points hauls. Neuville admitted that it is likely the duo will be involved in their own private battle.

«We have to have a consistent Friday and Saturday and we will end up where we end up,» said Neuville. «Then after we have to hope for a better road position for Sunday which will allow us to fight for the 12 extra points.

Ott Tänak, Martin Järveoja, Hyundai World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1

Ott Tänak, Martin Järveoja, Hyundai World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1

Photo by: Austral / Hyundai Motorsport

Evans also isn’t expecting to benefit from any team orders from Toyota who traditionally avoid such tactics.

«It is what it is. It has been quite clear for some time [on team orders], said Evans. «You have to drive for the points. I have to focus on trying to do a good job and that’s it.»

Meanwhile, sitting fourth in the championship and without a podium this season so far, Hyundai’s Tanak is primed to attack on a surface that has yielded 12 of his 19 WRC wins.

«I feel more comfortable here so I definitely will attack and try to maximise and take everything out that I can. It is the big target,» Tanak told Motorsport.com.

«I would say more or less, it will be one of the most competitive rallies this year for sure. It is also a rally about pure performance. Some sections it is getting really rough, and some are nice and smooth. It will really show how the car is. It will be really interesting to see where we are.»

The 22-stage rally begins on Thursday night.

Watch: Vodafone Rally de Portugal Shakedown highlights



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Toyota not “expecting too many changes” to WRC technical rules for 2025

Опубликовано от ASPPA IMAGES ANO


The WRC is currently gripped by discussions over the technical rules for next year after teams strongly opposed the FIA’s proposal to make changes to Rally1 and Rally2 cars in a bid to boost entry numbers at events.

The FIA intends to remove hybrid power from Rally1 cars and further reduce the performance of the vehicles by modifying the rear wing and the air restrictor. The WRC manufacturers wrote a letter to the FIA last month requesting the current rules stay in place until the end of 2026.

A dossier is currently being worked on that will be submitted to the FIA which will then make a final decision on regulations, that will be communicated at the World Motor Sport Council on June 11.

According to Toyota boss Latvala, more discussions will be held at Rally Portugal this weekend, but the Finn believes technical changes are likely to be limited for next year. 

“I think there will be some meetings here and step by step things are developing and going forward,” Latvala told Motorsport.com.

“I hope by the end of this month we start to know where we are. If I have understood the focus is more on the bigger picture overall, regulations for 2027.

“All the manufacturers have come together saying we shouldn’t change so much, and I don’t expect too many changes for next year. This is the expectation, but nothing is decided.

“If we think the short term, of course, we want all the teams to commit to the championship and we don’t want it to get too expensive in the short term. Knowing the regulations for 2027 is more important now than changing things for 2025.”

Latvala is also feeling positive regarding the discussions over the 2027 regulations, which are yet to be officially ratified.

The FIA has however provided a framework that would see the Rally1 class based around the current Rally1 concept but will produce approximately 330 horsepower.  These vehicles will use a common safety cell to reduce costs and allow manufacturers and tuners to develop cars with their own bodywork based on production models from the B-class, C-Class and compact SUV segments or a Concept Car designed to tight technical criteria.

“I know that the discussions [for 2027] are ongoing and I’m positive,” Latvala added. “It is looking good, but things are going forward slowly, and I think the sooner we have more information, of course, will be better.”

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Gravel season “definitely” an opportunity for Tanak to ignite WRC title bid

Опубликовано от ASPPA IMAGES ANO


The Hyundai driver heads to Portugal this week — which marks the start of the WRC’s traditional gravel season — sitting fourth in the championship and 33 points adrift of championship leader and team-mate Thierry Neuville.

After uncharacteristic errors in Monte Carlo and Sweden, Tanak showed signs of his pace in Kenya before an unfortunate crash from second position. Despite struggling with the balance of his i20 N in Croatia last month, Tanak picked up his biggest points haul of the season, claiming 20 points from the new scoring system after finishing fourth overall.

But a move to gravel is seen as a chance for Tanak to show his potential having scored 12 of his 19 WRC wins on the surface, starring behind the wheel of the i20 N back in 2022.

“It is definitely the opportunity now [to score points] and I really hope that we find a good feeling in the car, and obviously we haven’t been driving on gravel for a long time,” Tanak told Motorsport.com.

“Safari was very specific but basically the test will be our first feeling on gravel and hopefully we can make it work and be competitive in Portugal.

“Like I said Safari is very unique and very rough, so the cars are quite different when we go to Portugal, so let’s see how we compare.”

Photo by: McKlein / Motorsport Images

Tanak should also benefit from the road order, starting fourth while Neuville will likely face the worst of the conditions acting as road sweeper. The Belgian is hoping for rain to ease the pain of road-cleaning but is expecting a tough weekend.

Watch: Vodafone Rally de Portugal Trailer

“I’m happy to still be in the lead at least keep our advantage because there is no secret that from Portugal on it is going to be tough for us with several gravel rallies in a row,” Neuville told Motorsport.com.

“Other than really heavy rain and lots of difficult circumstances, it will be tough for us to score many points at least on Friday and Saturday, maybe on Sunday we could be a bit better if we have a better road position.

“In Portugal we are leading the championship and opening the road. We have Kalle [Rovanpera] in seventh on the road [Sebastien] Ogier in fifth and Tanak fourth, so what can you do.

“The car has improved a lot, but we still have some work left. The Toyotas are very quick at such events, but like always we keep trying.”

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WRC Sardinia schedule sheds light on part-time driver programmes

Опубликовано от ASPPA IMAGES ANO


The Italian gravel rally, which hosts the sixth round of the championship, has confirmed an eight-car Rally 1 field primed to tackle the event’s new 48-hour sprint format from 31 May – 2 June.

Eight-time world champion Ogier is on the list, meaning he will contest three consecutive events for the first time this season, having won in Croatia last month ahead of an outing in Portugal this weekend, which marks the fifth round of the championship.

The Frenchman, who was bestowed the title of Knight in the Legion of Honour by President Emmanuel Macron last week, has four Sardinia wins under his belt (2013, 2014, 2015, 2021). Ogier’s schedule beyond Sardinia is yet to be officially announced.         

It is anticipated that Kalle Rovanpera, who is also in action this week in Portugal, will pilot the third GR Yaris in Lativia and his native Finland.

The entry list also confirmed that Sordo will remain behind the wheel of the third Hyundai i20 N following his first appearance of the season in Portugal.

Sardinia has proved to be a happy hunting ground for the 41-year-old Spaniard, who has scored two (2019, 2020) of his three career WRC wins at the event. Sordo will hand over the car to Andreas Mikkelsen for Rally Poland from 27-30 June.

Rally Sardinia will be held over 16 competitive stages covering a total of 266.48 kilometres and will be based around the city of Alghero, which last hosted the event in 2022.

Dani Sordo, Candido Carrera, Hyundai World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1

Dani Sordo, Candido Carrera, Hyundai World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1

Photo by: McKlein / Motorsport Images

There has been a push from within the WRC to have the ability to run more condensed rallies. It is understood a proposal to condense events is part of a package of rule changes the championship wishes to implement in the future.

Previously, rallies have operated a stage distance in excess of 300 kilometres.

Watch: Vodafone Rally de Portugal Trailer

Under this new format, the rally will begin with the shakedown held on Friday morning before the first of four stages beginning at 1:30pm local time. Friday afternoon will feature two loops of two stages followed by an end-of-day service.

Saturday will feature eight stages split by a midday tyre-fitting zone. The schedule will see crews complete two passes of four stages before returning to Alghero for an end-of-day service.

Four stages will complete Sunday’s leg, with the rally set to finish at 1:15pm local time.

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2025 WRC Rally1 prototype “not so exciting” after first test

Опубликовано от ASPPA IMAGES ANO


Evans was offered a brief taste of the future when he piloted a modified Toyota GR Yaris during his pre-event Croatia Rally test last month.

Fan vision captured from the test showcased the GR Yaris running with revised aerodynamics centred around the rear wing, which appeared to conform to the FIA’s proposed 2025 regulations. It is understood Toyota is the only team that has attempted to create and test a 2025 prototype.

The FIA intends to reduce the performance of Rally1 cars for next season by removing hybrid power alongside a reduction in aero and air restrictor, to bring the cars more in line with Rally2 vehicles. This combined with a proposed upgrade kit for Rally2 cars is hoped to create a larger entry of competitors to battle at the sharp end of rallies next year.

The new regulations have been strongly opposed by WRC teams and drivers, with the former requesting the current rules stay in place until the end of 2026.

Asked for his opinion on the car following the test, Evans was blunt in his response stating it was “as expected” before elaborating further.

“I can tell you that it was not so exciting,” he said.

“I started and finished my run, so I guess if that is your definition of driveable, then I guess it was.”

Pressed on if this is the right direction for the WRC next year, he replied: “My opinion is quite clear.”

The FIA is understood to be working on a compromise with teams regarding the 2025 technical regulations, which could be communicated to stakeholders this month, before June’s World Motor Sport Council meeting. 

FIA road sport director Andrew Wheatley offered further details of the proposed rule changes for 2025 during a media roundtable in Croatia. 

“At the start of the five-year Rally1 process it was very clear that the hybrid element was a three-year contract, and that is what we have with [supplier] Compact Dynamics, but we are not changing the concept of Rally1,” he said. 

“The only discussion we are having about changing Rally1 is to modify the rear wing. We want to take one plane of the rear wing off, we will keep the top plane.

“The changes are half of the spoiler, it is removing the hybrid unit, and it is compensating the weight difference, which means a smaller restrictor so effectively the power to weight ratio is negated.”

 
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Toyota shuffles its WRC manufacturer points scorers for Portugal

Опубликовано от ASPPA IMAGES ANO


Reigning constructor world champions Toyota will field both its part-time drivers in the same event for the first time this season in Portugal next week as it looks to widen its seven-point gap over Hyundai in the championship.

As a result, Toyota has nominated current world champion Rovanpera and eight-time world champion Ogier to score manufacturer points alongside this year’s title contender Elfyn Evans. Rovnapera has won the previous two Portugal WRC rounds, while Ogier is a five-time winner of the event – sharing the record for the most victories with Markku Alen. It means the team’s other full-time driver Katsuta will be fighting purely for driver points on Portugal’s gravel roads.     

Toyota team principal Jari-Matti Latvala stated at the start of the season that the manufacturers crown was the team’s first objective and says the championship’s new points system has made harder to make an impact. 

“It will be great to have all four of our drivers with us in Portugal. This year we wanted to bring them all together on at least one rally and this was a good opportunity to do it,” said Latvala.

“With the new points system, it’s been difficult to make big differences in the manufacturers’ championship so far. In Portugal we will have three drivers that have won the event before, plus Taka who has also been very fast, so it’s a strong line-up for this rally.

“Kalle has been very successful there the last two years, while Seb has won it five times before. Elfyn’s road position could be more challenging, but he just needs to keep concentrating on maximising his points against his championship rivals.

“Taka has also been driving very well and has the capability to fight for the podium. But we know the competition will be strong and I’m sure it will be another big fight for the top positions in Portugal.”

While Katsuta says he won’t have the “stress” of fighting for manufacturer points, the Japanese driver has a podium in his sights having come close on two occasions in the past, finishing fourth in 2021 and 2022.

“Portugal is basically my favourite rally of course and I will try to do my best,” Katsuta told Motorsport.com.

“I’m not scoring points for the team so there will be no stress and no pressure. I will try to do the maximum that I can.

“My main target is to get a podium as I have finished fourth twice there. If the pace is really good all weekend I will try to push as much as I can.”

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Stellantis motorsport chief gives verdict on WRC future vision

Опубликовано от ASPPA IMAGES ANO


The FIA released its roadmap for the future of the WRC in February, which it hopes will attract new manufacturers to the championship.

Included in a raft of proposals are technical changes to both Rally1 and Rally2 classes. The tweaks to the rules for 2025 and 2026 include the removal of hybrid power, a reduction in the aero, achieved by a modified rear wing, and a smaller air restrictor, to bring the Rally1 cars closer to Rally2 vehicle performance. The proposal also includes a plan to introduce an upgrade kit to Rally2 cars.

The FIA has also released guidelines for 2027 which take the form of Rally1 cars being capped at 400,000 euros and based around the current Rally1 concept.

The cars will feature a larger spaceframe chassis utilising a common safety cell to reduce costs and allow both manufacturers and tuners to develop cars. The chassis will be able to accommodate bodywork based on cars in the B class, C class, compact, SUV and concept car segments and will produce approximately 330 horsepower.

The Stellantis Group, which owns many brands including Alfa Romeo, Citroen, Fiat, Lancia, Opel and Peugeot, is currently represented in the WRC at WRC2 level through Citroen. From Stellantis’ vast portfolio of brands, Citroen most recently competed at the top of the WRC before exiting at the end of 2019.

When asked if the proposals regarding Rally1’s future direction interests Stellantis, its customer racing manager Dider Clement told Motorsport.com: “We don’t know. We take part in the discussion with the FIA regarding the regulations.

«We have no interest at all for the 2025 and 2026 regulation in regards to the current Rally1, but for 2027 we will work with all the manufacturers and the FIA. How did we see the future right now? You never know.”

Pressed specifically on the changes for 2027, he added: “The FIA have done a good job. The technical department do a really good job. In terms of promotion, we have to increase it a bit like everyone said but everybody is in the same line and want the same thing. We want to keep the WRC at a good level.”

One of the group’s brands, Lancia, has gone on record to state that it is “working” on a rally return in recent months, but Clement says this “dream” can only be discussed once regulations are in place. It is understood, as it stands, Rally4 offers the most feasible option for a Lancia return.     

“Firstly, it is a dream for everybody because Lancia has history and memories but right now before we think about a Lancia return you have to discuss the regulations. We base our strategy on regulations, and it is not fixed right now so it is definitely too soon,” he added.

It also seems likely Stellantis, through its Citroen arm, doesn’t have any desire to produce an upgrade kit for its C3 Rally2 car to create a Rally2 Plus option for competitors. 

“We do not think that WRC2 Plus should be helpful for WRC Rally1,” added Clement. “As soon as you consider that WRC2 Plus will be slower than the Rally1 and when you consider that WRC2 Plus will have no chance to win any rallies overall, it doesn’t help.” 

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WRC regulations debate won’t affect 2025 tyre development

Опубликовано от ASPPA IMAGES ANO


Korean tyre firm Hankook was announced as the WRC’s new official tyre supplier in December last year, securing a contract from 2025-2027,  to take over from Pirelli, whose deal expires at the end of the year.

Since winning the FIA’s tender, Hankook has been busily developing rubber for next year testing prototypes with WRC teams as early as February this year, before the world motorsport governing body unveiled its vision for the future of the WRC.

The vision includes proposed changes to the technical rules for next season with the FIA intending to remove hybrid power from Rally1 cars in addition to a reduction in aerodynamics via a modified rear wing and a decrease in power caused by a smaller air restrictor.

These changes are currently at the centre of a debate after WRC teams wrote to the FIA requesting of the current Rally1 regulations to remain in place until the end of 2026.

Motorsport.com understands a compromise on regulations for next year is being discussed with a solution likely to be communicated to teams next month. 

With the 2025 rules in a state of flux, FIA road sport director Andrew Wheatley is confident it won’t affect Hankook as it continues to develop its 2025 tyres.   

Elfyn Evans, Scott Martin, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1

Elfyn Evans, Scott Martin, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1

Photo by: McKlein / Motorsport Images

«I think the tyre manufacturers are doing a great job to bridge that gap,» said Wheatley in a media roundtable including Motorsport.com.

«The tyre is designed to be fairly flexible. At the moment, one of the targets from Hankook is to make the tyre between Rally1 and Rally2 as close as possible.

«It might be that there are some changes on different surfaces, but I don’t think it is in the discussion at the moment.

«First of all, the small detail changes can be applied quite quickly in terms of the development, and it is being designed with a fairly wide window. I think we have a solution for that, and it is not an issue.»

Hankook has declined to comment on the development of its WRC tyres while Pirelli remains the championship’s control tyre supplier.

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WRC looking to add F1-style team radio to TV broadcasts

Опубликовано от ASPPA IMAGES ANO


The WRC Promoter is keen to improve the championship’s ability to tell stories to its viewers during events and has appointed a special consultant who will begin work on the team radio concept from next month’s Rally Portugal.

Live team radio is utilised by several motorsport categories with F1 perhaps leading the way with the aspect of the broadcast hugely popular among its audience. 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 dark as to what has happened.  

“I think from our point of view we need to take a bit more of a direct role in storytelling and we need to integrate ourselves a bit better,” WRC event director Simon Larkin told media including Motorsport.com.

“I think we need to find different opportunities to bring the characters out of the drivers rather than going to them 20 seconds after they have finished a stage.

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“We have a new concept for next year that we’re working on with the teams and the manufacturers for more data out of the cars, more live interaction between the crews and their teams. At the moment, these are very expensive rally cars and my rental car has better connectivity than these very expensive rally cars. It is all there on the cars and I think there is a better technological story we can tell about these cars and what goes into them.

“We have spent many years thinking teamwork in the WRC is the work between the driver and the co-driver and I think that is a little bit disconnected from the reality that there are 70 or 80 people here that are responsible for giving that driver and co-driver a car that they are able to perform in. 

“We can bring out more characters; even the relationship between the driver and their engineer is something that maybe we’re missing that other sports are better at.”

Andreas Mikkelsen, Hyundai World Rally Team

Andreas Mikkelsen, Hyundai World Rally Team

Photo by: Fabien Dufour / Hyundai Motorsport

One obstacle in broadcasting live communication from the crews is that information teams want to keep under wraps becomes widely known to the public and their rivals.

While the concept is in its infancy, the WRC Promoter is hoping that investing in providing access to more live data from the cars — that may not be seen on the broadcast — will help secure an agreement with teams to allow live team radio in the future.

“We think the quid pro quo that we can offer to the teams is providing them with more live data, like oil pressure, water pressure and the tyre pressure monitoring system,” Larkin added.

“There are a lot of things that sometimes go wrong with these cars that maybe could have been avoided that could keep them in the rally even, if they have the ability to take different actions during a stage, during a road section, all these sorts of things. I think if we can be more involved, we can have more interesting questions at stage ends because we are ahead of it.

“Again, with the data, just because we might provide it to the teams doesn’t mean we are going to exploit some of this data on TV. It is a quid pro quo.”

Peter Thul, WRC Promoter’s Senior Director of Sport, added: “The teams are quite open to this, and it was a joint approach. There will be a point where there will be a red line, but we have to go for it. We may not get everything but at least more than we have now.”

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