Lancia Rumored To Be Making A WRC Return

Earlier this week rumors began to circulate about a return to the WRC for Lancia. Find out more below. 

The Rumour 

Earlier this week an article was put out linking Lanica to a WRC return. This came from Lanica’s parent company, Stellantis. Stellantis also owns brands like Citroen, Fiat, and Dodge among others. The reason Stellantis is interested in a WRC return for Lancia is to help revive the brand. Lancia hasn’t produced any notable vehicles since the 90’s. Stellantis wants that to change. In their eyes, they want to revive the brand by doing the same thing that made the brand notable in the first place. There isn’t much to go off of with this rumor. It sounds like Lancia will start development of the new car this year. While it’s expected to be used in 2025 at the earliest. 

Why A Return Makes Sense 

Lancia could be Citroen’s replacement in the WRC2 class, and potentially become the fourth manufacturer in the top class. Citroen only has a couple of seasons of use remaining in the C3. Before the car’s homologation runs out. Citroen going out of the WRC would be unfortunate. As the manufacturer is one of the most successful in the WRC. Unfortunately, Stellanois doesn’t seem interested in having two manufacturers under their control compete.  

A History In The WRC 

Lancia is probably the second most iconic manufacturer in WRC history, behind Subaru. As Lanica helped make the WRC become what we know today. Before the Lancia Stratos, rally cars were often just slightly modified road cars. The Stratos was the first car designed specifically for rally. The Stratos went on to become one of the most legendary cars in WRC history. Winning Lancia three consecutive Manufacturers championships from 1974-1976.

From 1977-1981 Lancia was absent from the WRC. However, in 1982 the brand would return to start the Group B era. Lancia would return with the brand new and legendary 037 rally car. This rear-wheel drive beast won the 1983 manufacturers championship. However, in 1985 an issue with the 037 would become apparent. The car was rear-wheel drive while the likes of Audi and Peaugot were running all-wheel drive cars. To counter this Lanica built a brand new car, the Lancia Delta S4.

The Delta S4 was both supercharged and turbocharged, giving it a load of power. However, all that power came at a cost, the car was difficult to control. Nevertheless, with Henri Toivonen behind the wheel, the Delta S4 won its first two events and would’ve won the third if it wasn’t for an engine issue. The Delta S4 went on to win two more events in 1986, including the Olympus Rally, the final event of the Group B era.  

A young ARA star has revealed their preliminary 2024 schedule. Find out who and what WRC event they plan on attending below. 

Who Is It?

2023 American Rally Association (ARA) runner-up Patrick Gruszka has revealed the list of events he plans on attending in 2024. This list included all the rounds of the 2024 ARA national championship and one ARA regional event. It also includes all rounds of the 2024-25 Nitrocross schedule. Which will kick off at Richmond Raceway in Richmond Virginia. However, one of the most notable events on Gruszka’s list for the upcoming season is WRC Poland. 

Not A Huge Surprise

Patrick Gruszka has previously hinted at competing in a World Rally Championship event. As the 20-year-old revealed on episode 13 of the Into The Dust Podcast that he intended on travelling to Europe to compete in an event. Gruszka has been one of the ARA’s top young drivers. Winning the 2023 RC2 championship. Beating a former Junior WRC driver in the process. Not only would Rally Poland be Gruszka’s first time competing in Europe. It will also be a home event for the Polish American. As Gruszka’s father Ark is originally from Poland. 

What Class? 

Gruszka will likely compete in the WRC2 class in a Hyundai i20 R5. The same model of car he currently drives in the ARA. However, it’s unlikely he will use the same i20 he uses in America as he intends on competing at the South Ohio Forest Rally earlier that month. Gruszka’s co-driver Florian Barral has experience driving at European events. As well as what to expect from the events as he has served as a crew member for Pierre-Louis Loubet. Gruszka likely won’t be fighting for the WRC2 class win but will look to use the event as a learning experience. 

Former WRC driver Bryan Bouffier has confirmed he will contest Rallye Monte-Carlo later this month. 

Returning To The Sport

Bryan Bouffier will return to rally after a 4-year absence from the sport. The three-time Polish national champion will look to compete at his home event for what could be the final time. Bouffier last competed at the 2019 running of Rajd Barbórka in Poland. He finished fourth overall at the event. 

What Will Bouffier Drive? 

Bouffier will be one of the many drivers to take the brand-new Toyota Yaris GR Rally2 for a spin. Last season fellow rally legend Francois Delecour returned to the WRC to try out the then new Sköda Fabia Rally2. Bouffier seems to be following in Delecour’s footsteps. 

What To Expect From Bouffier

As previously mentioned Bryan Bouffier hasn’t competed at a rally in over 4 years. This means he’ll likely have some rust to shake off before he can get going at a good pace. Bouffier won’t challenge for the WRC2 class win. Instead he, in partnership with Toyota will likely use the event to get his opinions on the car. As Bouffier has experience driving many different cars. Including multiple variations of the Ford Fiesta and Hyundai i20. He has also driven a modified Mitsubishi Mirage in the American Rally Association on a few occasions. This means Bouffier has experience in a variety of cars and could provide valuable input to Toyota. 

Could Bouffier Do More Events? 

It’s unlikely that Bouffier will make any more appearances this season. However, anything is possible. He may look to compete in some of his former favourite events for a final time this season. If we were to see Bouffier again it would likely be for Rally Poland in June. As Bouffier has a load of experience in Poland. Something that could make him slightly more competitive despite the age difference between him and his fellow competitors. 

Chris Ingram has announced he will make his return to the WRC at the 2024 running of Rallye Monte-Carlo. 

A Return 

Chris Ingram has been absent from WRC2 competition since the 2023 running of Rallye Monte-Carlo. Ingram intended to run more than just one event. However, the 29-year-old couldn’t get the budget to do so. This left Ingram without a drive last season. Fortunately, he was able to find the money to compete at select European Rally Championship and other national championship rounds in a Volkswagen Polo R5. Since winning the 2019 ERC championship, Ingram hasn’t found much luck. As the Brit has only won at two national events since then. Ingram’s most notable accomplishment last season was contesting Sebastien Loeb at a French national event. Both drivers were in Volkswagen Polo R5’s. Loeb ultimately won, whilst Ingram finished third overall. 

Looking For More

Currently, Chris Ingram heads into Rallye Monte-Carlo with the same lookout as he did last season. As Ingram has only been confirmed to contest Monte-Carlo with the Racing Factory team. However, it is expected Ingram will contest more events as the season goes on. What events those are will be revealed in due time, if there are any. Ingram will also contest the Jänner Rallye in Austria this weekend as a test for Monte-Carlo. It’s a hope from British rally fans that Ingram will find the budget to contest more events. 

What To Expect From Ingram 

Chris Ingram finished 6th in the WRC2 class at the Rallye Monte-Carlo next season. However, he was also driving a last generation Sköda Fabia R5. This time around he will drive the new Sköda Fabia Rally2. However, this likely won’t affect his results much. As he will have a tough time beating out the likes of Oliver Solberg among other WRC2 championship contenders. However, as with anything to do with rally, anything can happen on the stages. 

Earlier this week Toyota Gazoo Racing announced the Yaris Rally2 has been officially homologated. 

Can Officially Be Used 

The Toyota Yaris GR Rally2 can officially be used at FIA events this upcoming season. This was expected as Toyota had already started selling the Yaris Rally2 before it was officially homologated. The new version of the Yaris will give Toyota the chance to develop drivers in a car under their own company. As previously they have either used cars from other manufacturers or signed drivers from other teams. Toyota will use this platform to build its next generation of stars. 

Who Will Drive The Yaris Rally2

The full list of drivers that will drive the car for the upcoming season is unknown. However, we do know a few that will contest Rallye Monte-Carlo in the car. This list includes Bryan Bouffier, Sami Pajari, Stephen Lefebvre and Jan Solans. It’s expected this list will grow come January 8th when the official start list for Rallye Monte-Carlo is announced. Solans has already announced he will contest a full WRC2 campaign in the Yaris Rally2. 

What To Expect From The New Toyota

Obviously, the biggest goal for Toyota is to challenge and best Sköda this upcoming season. However, Sköda won’t go down easy. As they have already confirmed Oliver Solberg will drive for the team. Pajari and Solberg battled for position in the WRC2 championship last season. However, Solberg was arguably the fastest driver in WRC2 last season. He just didn’t have the luck to finish out some events. Pajari is entering his second season of competition in WRC2. He is one of the WRC’s best up-and-coming stars. Toyota may have themselves a future World Rally Champion in Pajari. If they play their cards correctly. Who will join Pajari as a Toyota driver in WRC2 is unknown. Lefebvre may be that driver. 

Earlier today Sami Pajari confirmed his plans for the 2024 World Rally Championship season. 

A New Team 

Sami Pajari will leave Toksport for the 2024 WRC2 season and join Printsport. Pajari finished seventh in the WRC2 championship, five points behind Oliver Solberg. Pajari will drive a brand new Toyota Yaris GR Rally2. The 22-year-old was expected to move on from Toksport at the end of last season. As Toyota made their interest in the 2021 Junior World Rally Champion. 

What To Expect From Pajari

Sami Pajari will look to build off a strong first season in WRC2. He will look to challenge for both the WRC2 and WRC2 challenger championships. How the Toyota Yaris GR Rally2 will hold up against the Skoda Fabia Rally2 is unknown. However, the car is believed to be a championship contender. Pajari showed rapid growth throughout the 2023 season. He even managed to take home his first WRC2 event win at his home event of Secto Rally Finland. He also challenged Oliver Solberg for the class win at Rally Chile Bio Bio. 

How Many Events Will Pajari Do? 

Sami Pajari confirmed he will contest a full season. It’s unknown if he meant all 13 rounds of the 2024 World Rally Championship season or just the 7 required for the WRC2 championship. Pajari will kick off his 2024 campaign at the legendary Rally Monte-Carlo later this month. From there he will likely do Rally Sweden. He may choose to skip Safari Rally Kenya in March, however, attending the difficult event would be good for his future in the sport. As Pajari knows he’s already on the radar of WRC teams, gaining valuable experience at events like Safari Rally Kenya could go a long way for him. Especially if he puts up a good result at the event. 

The M-Sport Ford World Rally Team have announced their 2024 driver line-up. Find out all you need to know below. 

The Drivers 

The 2024 M-Sport Ford WRT lineup consists of two familiar faces. Those faces are Adrien Fourmaux and Grégoire Munster. Both Fourmaux and Munster drove a Puma Rally1 last season. With Munster competing at Rally Chile Bio Bio and the Central European Rally in the car. While Fourmuax competed in Rally Japan. 

Adrien Fourmaux 

It’s no surprise that Adrien Fourmaux is once again getting a chance behind the wheel of a Rally1 car. As the Frenchman was demoted to the WRC2 championship at the end of a disappointing 2022 season. However, Fourmaux seemed to have found himself in 2023. As he went on to win the British Rally Championship with M-Sport. Becoming the first Frenchman to win the championship. Fourmaux also aided M-Sport in developing the Fiesta Rally2 car. Fourmaux didn’t win any WRC2 events last season. Although he did come close in Italy. However, an off on the last stage costed him the event win. 

Grégoire Munster 

Grégoire Munster is a bit of a surprise. As he was expected to get a part-time drive with the team and compete at Rallye Monte-Carlo. However, a full-time drive was unexpected. Munster has even said himself that he wasn’t fully ready for it. Add that to a comment from higher-ups at M-Sport made just last month about Munster becoming their main driver for WRC2 and it leaves some question marks. Sure Munster put up a strong performance at the Central European Rally. However, why rush him into a spot he’s not ready for? Sure Munster could’ve changed his mind, if that’s the case then okay. However, if he was still on the edge why give him a full-time seat? 

Why These Drivers?

M-Sport had a very slim selection of drivers to pick from. As the team relies on drivers willing to pay for a drive as opposed to paying drivers to drive. Only on rare occasions will M-Sport pay a driver to drive for the team. Fourmuax has the backing of Redbull to sponsor a full-time drive. While Munster will be backed by Jourdan Serderidis and other sponsors. 

Oliver Solberg has announced his plans for the 2024 World Rally Championship season. Find out all you need to know below. 

What Are Solberg’s 2024 Plans?

Oliver Solberg will once again pilot a Sköda Fabia for the 2024 World Rally Championship season. This is the same car he used last season on his way to finishing 6th in the WRC2 championship. Solberg had some promising drives last season. He was also arguably the fastest driver at every round he competed in. Which ended up being all but two rounds, the Central European Rally and Rally Japan. Solberg claimed wins at Rally Sweden and Rally Chile. 

A Slight Disappointment

It had been rumoured that Solberg was a contender to get a drive with M-Sport next season. However, that obviously didn’t happen. M-Sport had previously talked to Solberg before the 2023 season after he and Hyundai parted ways. However, M-Sport’s offer wasn’t what Solberg was looking for. Instead the then 21-year-old opted to drive the WRC2 class for the season. In hopes a strong performance would land him a slot back in a Rally1 car. The reason why Solberg didn’t get a drive with M-Sport this season is likely due to sponsorships. As Solberg is sponsored by Monster Energy whilst M-Sport is sponsored by Redbull. Nevertheless, the goal heading into this season will be the same as last season, try to win the WRC2 championship and try to land a Rally1 drive for 2025. 

What To Expect From Solberg 

Oliver Solberg is one of the WRC’s best young drivers. Being only 22 years old, Solberg has shown loads of skill so far in the WRC. The exact list of rallies the Swede will compete in is unknown. However, he has made it known he intends on running as many events as possible again this season. Solberg will make his first appearance of the 2024 season at the Rallye Montecarlo next month. From there he will likely look to go back to back at his home event in Sweden. From there everything is up in the air. 

Earlier this week the Hyundai Shell Mobis WRT announced the final two drivers for their 2024 WRC lineup. 

He’s Back! 

Andreas Mikkelsen will return to the top level of rally for the 2024 season. The 2023 WRC2 was in talks with Hyundai for a spot during 2023 after Craig Breen passed away. However, Hyundai decided to go a different route and Mikkelsen took part in the WRC2 championship for Toksport. Mikkelsen last drove at the top level of rally in 2019 with Hyundai. Mikkelsen won the WRC2 championship just two years later. Since then Mikkelsen has been the most deserving driver to get a rally1 drive. Well, he will get that chance this season at select events. 

Back For Another Season With Hyundai

Dani Sordo’s future with Hyundai was questionable. As the Spaniard didn’t even know what his plans for 2024 were at Forum8 Rally Japan. Sordo did say he would do at least one outing in a Rally1 car in 2024. However, from there it was all question marks. Sordo will provide Hyundai with a safety net throughout the season. Something he has proven time and time again in 2022 and 2023. 

What Events Will They Do?

Hyundai would say in their press release that Lappi will get snow and fast gravel events. Sordo will get rough gravel and Mikkelsen tarmac. There could be some room for changes throughout the season. However, based on what Hyundai has said each driver will do the following. Mikkelsen will do Montecarlo, Croatia, Central Europe and Japan. Lappi will do Sweden, Poland, Finland, Latvia and potentially Chile. That leaves Sordo doing Kenya, Italy, Portugal, and Greece. Obviously, things can change throughout the season as previously mentioned. As Lappi may not want to do all the fast events or Chile for example. 

Why Three Drivers For Hyundai?

Lappi, Sordo and Mikkelsen are each good in their own respective ways. One thing they all share in common is the fact that they can challenge for a podium when needed. It’s no secret Hyundai is targeting both the manufacturer and drivers championships. Hyundai also knows to achieve this they need a safety net in case Neuville or Tänak fail to finish an event. All three drivers have previously won events and finished on the podium numerous times. All three drivers also know their role on the team and what the objective is. They also don’t take unnecessary risks. Only time will tell how having three drivers share a car works out. 

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing has switched up the style palette for 2024 as they ditch the dominant white livery for a more blacked out design. The design have more of an edgy presence to them which seems to be the direction many teams are headed for in 2024. Bold and definitive seems to be the new look.

The reveal came on the same day the team announced their 2024 motorsport team setups. The announcement came from “Morizo” (Chairman Akio Toyoda), Tomoya Takahashi, President of GAZOO Racing Company, and the drivers leading the TGR activities in Japan joined the attendees. He gave the following speech.

Chairman Akio Toyoda’s Speech on the 2023 Season

“In the 2023 season, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing won eight titles!

Morizo hates to lose too often…
Therefore I am as delighted as you could expect with eight titles.
I’m so happy! To the team, to the drivers, and to the fans, thank you so much! Now the phrase “hate to lose” has become our slogan.

In Rally Finland, Kalle Rovanperä said to me “We hate to lose” after he went off couse and showed that we never give up. Not only the drivers, but also everyone in the whole team hates to lose!
I felt that this common understanding is the secret to our strength!

Why do I hate to lose too often? The other day, I looked back at my past.
I remembered a scene at the Nurburgring when I was being overtaken by other cars. This scene was the origin of my ‘hate to lose’ mentality! This scene was the origin of my ‘hate to lose’ mind! The cars that overtook me were new vehicles developed by European manufacturers…and I was driving an 80 Supra, which had already gone out of production and sales…I felt that the cars that overtook me were saying “Toyota will never make such a car like this…” It’s frustrating to remember even now… This frustration was my origin.

Since then, I have been determined to make a car like that! I have been working hard to achieve this.
That’s the reason I’ve continued my driving training.
Even though I am not an engineer, I wanted to participate in car development somehow, which is why I took action.”

Toyoda Continued

“It took almost 20 years, and now I really have a lot of friends.
Not only drivers but also engineers and mechanics.
We share our frustrations… and we fight in motorsport.
We are all friends trying to make a car that was said to be “impossible” to make at the time.

To win in motorsports, you have to make a car that is easy to drive together.

I believe that the eight titles are exactly the result of our ability to make such cars.”