Рубрика: Rally NEWS

M-Sport’s 2025 WRC driver line-up plans «up in the air»

Опубликовано от ASPPA IMAGES ANO


M-Sport’s driver line-up for the 2025 World Rally Championship is «totally up in the air» as speculation mounts around the future of its current lead driver Adrien Fourmaux.

The Ford squad often makes its moves in the driver market late into the year and this season is no different as it plans to field two Ford Puma Rally1 cars next year.

The decision to promote Fourmaux back to its Rally1 programme this year after his 2023 season in Rally2 has paid dividends, with the Frenchman reeling off eight top-five finishes including four podiums (Sweden, Kenya, Poland and Finland).

The run has seen the Frenchman amass only six points fewer than Ott Tanak’s 2023 tally at this stage of the campaign, having replaced the 2019 world champion this year.

Fourmaux’s impressive rise has made the 29-year-old a valuable commodity in the service park, with the 2023 British rally champion linked with a move to Hyundai to pilot the Korean marque’s third car for next season.

When asked about his team’s 2025 plans, M-Sport’s team principal Richard Millener maintains that «nothing has been signed with anybody» at the minute.

«It is totally up in the air and nothing is signed with anybody, all options on the table as usual for M-Sport at this point in the year,» Millener told Motorsport.com. «We want the strongest possible team we can get for two cars for next year and that is the goal and what we continue to push on.»

Adrien Fourmaux, M-Sport Ford World Rally Team

Adrien Fourmaux, M-Sport Ford World Rally Team

Photo by: M-Sport

The team wishes to agree a new deal with Fourmaux and has not given up on retaining his services. However, should it need to look elsewhere the squad appears to have a shortlist of options to fill its two seats.

Its other full-time driver Gregoire Munster delivered arguably his best Rally1 performance to date in Chile, where he ran as high as fourth, matching stage times at the top of the leaderboard, before finishing seventh.

The performance arrived after a inconsistent campaign to date which could bode well for his future, although Millener says the Luxembourger should remain focused on the final two rallies of the season.

«He just needs to concentrate on one rally at a time now. He shouldn’t be thinking about how he makes sure he gets a drive next year,» added Millener. «It needs to be a case of just doing the best he can on each rally and see what comes at the end of the year.»

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Another driver that M-Sport is keeping an eye on is Martins Sesks following his trio of Rally1 outings with the team. The 25-year-old’s drives to fifth in Poland, followed by a podium challenge in Latvia before a mechanical issue struck, has turned heads.

Sesks admitted after his latest outing in Chile that he was unsure where his future lay.

«Like he says, he doesn’t know what is next and I don’t know what is next, there is a lot up in the air but it was good to give him that opportunity as well and now we need to see what happens in the next few weeks,» said Millener.

Outside of those two drivers, Motorsport.com expects WRC2 title contenders Oliver Solberg and Yohan Rossel to be on the team’s 2025 driver shortlist.



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Consistency Neuville’s first focus as maiden WRC title looms at CER

Опубликовано от ASPPA IMAGES ANO


Thierry Neuville insists his first focus is on delivering a «consistent run» at this week’s Central European Rally as the Hyundai driver closes in on a maiden World Rally Championship crown.

Neuville heads into the WRC’s penultimate round, spread across the asphalt roads in the Czech Republic, Austria and Germany, with a 29-point lead over nearest rival and team-mate Ott Tanak.

The Belgian will secure a first WRC title if he can extend the margin beyond 30 points this weekend, with only one round of the season remaining in Japan next month.

The odds appear to be in Neuville’s favour who won the Central European Rally last year and will start this year’s edition with the advantage of opening the road as championship leader.

Last weekend Neuville aided his preparations for the rally by participating in the Herbst Rallye in Austria, where his Hyundai i20 N Rally1 was one of the course cars.

While the prospect of a career-defining world title is edging closer, Neuville says his main focus is to ensure he performs consistently this week.

«Last year we had a great victory at the very first Central European Rally. We know we usually perform well on tarmac and winning in Germany was super cool for the whole team,» said Neuville.

Thierry Neuville, Martijn Wydaeghe, Hyundai World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1

Thierry Neuville, Martijn Wydaeghe, Hyundai World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1

Photo by: Vincent Thuillier / Hyundai Motorsport

«Despite difficult conditions, we performed well But because of the stage changes we need to do some video work, so we will be studying those as much as possible to get a good feel of the new areas.

«The main goal is to manage our championship so we can take as many points as possible. Of course, we would like to get that title in our pocket, but our first focus will be having a consistent run.»

Neuville’s Hyundai team will however be eager to issue a response to Toyota’s Rally Chile performance that reduced the deficit in the manufacturers’ title race to 17 points.

«We need to maintain our lead in all three championships, and a clean performance at Central European Rally is essential in eventually bringing them home,» said Hyundai team principal Cyril Abiteboul.

«Thierry won here last year, and we know how strong he is on the tarmac, so anything is possible across the weekend. As well as the push for the drivers’ and co-drivers’ titles, we also have the fight for the manufacturers’, and we have three strong crews fighting for that too.

«We want to leave CER having taken advantage of our road positions and made the most of the weekend – something we could not do in Chile.»



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Дочь Кена Блока попала в аварию на финале чемпионата США по ралли

Опубликовано от ASPPA IMAGES ANO


Дочь знаменитого американского гонщика и шоумена Кена Блока, который трагически погиб в начале 2023 года, продолжила карьеру в кольцевых гонках, но не отказалась от классического ралли, которым занимались и занимаются многие члены её семьи. Лиа Блок стала участником молодёжной программы Williams Racing Driver Academy и в 2024 году выступала в женской гоночной серии F1 Academy в составе коллектива ART Grand Prix, а в конце 2024 года приняла участие в финале чемпионата США по ралли American Rally Association.

На заключительном этапе машину трёхкратного чемпиона Брэндона Семенюка получила Лиа Блок — самая юная чемпионка в истории серии, выигравшая титул в 2023 году в классе ARA Open 2WD, вместе со штурманом Китоном Уильямсом шла в гонке третьей, пока не попала в аварию. В левом повороте пилотесса не попала в вираж, после чего машина перевернулась на бок и застряла между деревьев, на чём для американки и закончилось участие в Lake Superior Performance Rally.

Авария Лии Блок © American Rally Association
Авария Лии БлокФото: American Rally Association

«Просто заблокировались колёса, мы сошли с траектории и каким-то образом оказались боком между двумя деревьями. Машина в принципе в порядке. Если бы рядом не было дерева, мы могли бы просто столкнуть её обратно на колёса и продолжить движение. Я очень разочарована, но мы ехали третьими. Это быстрая машина, самая быстрая, на которой я когда-либо ездила. Ошибки случаются, и на них просто нужно учиться», — отметила Лиа Блок.



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Solberg’s failed Rally Chile protest to be reheard by stewards

Опубликовано от ASPPA IMAGES ANO


The WRC2 title fight could be set for another twist following confirmation that a previously rejected protest from Oliver Solberg will be reheard by Rally Chile stewards.

A petition led by FIA road sport director Andrew Wheatley has resulted in the case regarding a notional time being awarded to Solberg’s title rival and Rally Chile WRC2 winner Yohan Rossel to be reviewed.

Solberg lodged a protest asking the stewards to re-evaluate a notional time awarded to Rossel that helped the Citroen driver to victory. Rossel vaulted from third to WRC2 class lead when stewards deemed Solberg had hindered the Frenchman during stage 11 and subsequently knocked 40s off his stage time.

Solberg was leading the class in the test when he suffered a puncture which cost the Swede 1m30s to change a wheel. Solberg rejoined the stage ahead of Rossel who felt he had been held up by the Skoda driver while passing through the stage affected by thick fog.

The incident is likely to play a part in determining the outcome WRC2 title as Solberg could have secured the championship with a victory in Chile.

Stewards initially deemed Solberg’s protest inadmissible «because under the FIA International Sporting Code, it is not permissible for the Stewards to review/re-hear their decisions through a protest.»

However, a subsequent stewards report released on Friday states that «significant and relevant new element which was unavailable to the parties seeking the review at the time of the decision concerned.»

Oliver Solberg, Elliott Edmondson, Toksport WRT Skoda Fabia Evo Rally2

Oliver Solberg, Elliott Edmondson, Toksport WRT Skoda Fabia Evo Rally2

Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool

The case will be re-opened and reviewed at a date yet to be announced.

«The Stewards examined video evidence and GPS tracking data provided by the FIA, which was information that was not in the possession of the Clerk of the Course, nor of the Stewards, at the time of the decision was made. The Stewards consider this to be new information,» read the stewards report.

«The FIA explained the relevance of the videos and the GPS tracking data and indicated that if this information had been available at the time the request from the Competitor of Car No. 21 for a new time was received, then a different representation would have been made to the Stewards in relation to the Competitor’s request on SS11 (Lota 2). The Stewards consider the FIA’s submission to be significant and relevant.

«Having considered the matter extensively, the Stewards decide to re-examine their decision in accordance with Article 14.1.1 of the 2024 FIA International Sporting Code and wish to hear from the parties concerned, namely the Competitor of Car No. 21 and a representative of the FIA, at a time and place to be determined thereafter.»

Solberg currently leads the WRC2 championship standings by 12 points over Rossel, but will now have to rely on results elsewhere to keep his title hopes alive having completed his seven points-scoring events.

Rossel and Sami Pajari (15 points adrift of Solberg) remain in title contention with the pair set to complete their final rounds at the Central European Rally and Rally Japan respectively.



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Benched Katsuta sets goals for WRC return at Central European Rally

Опубликовано от ASPPA IMAGES ANO


Takamoto Katsuta has set out goals after being benched by Toyota for Rally Chile, as he prepares for his World Rally Championship return at next week’s Central European Rally.

Katsuta rejoins Toyota’s line-up after it temporarily dropped its full-time driver for the visit to Chile last month following a rough run of results.

After undergoing a reset, the 31-year-old jumped back behind the wheel of his GR Yaris Rally1 for a pre-event its last week ahead of Central European Rally’s tricky asphalt stages with a clear objective in mind.

“I’m looking forward to being back in the car and driving on a totally different surface for the last two rallies of the year,” said Katsuta.

“I really like driving on asphalt and I hope to find a good feeling and perform well.

“Central European Rally is a big challenge for everybody with a lot of surface changes and dirt on the road. Last year, the Friday on Czech roads was especially difficult with rain and a lot of cuts.

“With that experience it should be easier to return this year but there will still be many new stages, so we need to focus on making good pacenotes and communicating well with our route note crew.

Takamoto Katsuta, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT

Takamoto Katsuta, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT

Photo by: Toyota Racing

“I will try to be patient, be there to score points for the team and if everything goes well, it will be easier for me to push at Rally Japan [the season finale].”

Speaking at Rally Chile, Toyota team principal Jari-Matti Latvala empathised with how his driver would be feeling after the decision, but is confident that Katsuta would return stronger.

Latvala also revealed that improving his pacenotes had been identified as area that would benefit the Japanese driver.

“We have had a few phone calls with him and of course it is never a nice situation as he wanted to come to Chile to drive, but after a few days he was thinking about it and understood the situation and was willing to work and try to improve himself to come back stronger,” said Latvala.

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“To understand it first is never nice for the driver. But at the end when you do it and come back, sometimes you realise that this is something good. We have seen that in the past with other drivers [that have been benched]. Adrien [Fourmaux] is a very good example and it also happened to Ott Tanak and Elfyn Evans in the past.

“First of all I wanted him to switch off from rallying, then we wanted him to work with the co-driver to try and improve the notes as we realised in Greece that maybe there is too much information in them, which is then taking away the focus on the driving and the road as he has to listen too much.”

Looking ahead to next week’s rally, Latvala added: “The target will be to have a solid rally, score some points and find a good feeling in the car ahead of Rally Japan.”



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Skoda reveals Rally2-inspired EV race car concept

Опубликовано от ASPPA IMAGES ANO


Skoda Motorsport has unveiled an all-new electric racing car concept that has taken inspiration and technology from its World Rally Championship Rally2 car.

Based on the road going Enyaq SUV, the new Enyaq RS Race has even in development since 2023 with the aim to create an EV race car concept that closely matches the handling of Skoda Fabia RS Rally2.

The car can generate 340 horsepower and a top speed of 180km/h from two electric motors married to an 82 kWh battery, that have been taken from the production car.

Inside, the car features a rally-specification rollcage, hydraulic handbrake while the pedal box has been taken straight out of the Rally2 car.

Biocomposite parts, incorporating flax fibres in both the body and interior, help to reduce the car’s weight by 316kg compared to the original road car.

Skoda Enyaq RS Race

Skoda Enyaq RS Race

Photo by: Skoda Motorsport

According to the Czech manufacturer, “the project showcases Skoda’s activities in the field of electrified motorsport, driving progress towards a more sustainable future”.

“The Skoda Enyaq RS Race was developed completely in-house by Skoda Motorsport. Based on the Enyaq Coupe RS production model, the car features a distinctive design with strong racing DNA, enhanced aerodynamics and excellent acceleration,” said Johannes Neft, Skoda Auto Board Member for Technical Development.

“In terms of sustainable solutions, the new concept car also serves as a pilot project for future innovations in series production. The biocomposite parts have led to a significant weight reduction, and we are trialling them in motorsport, including in the current Skoda Fabia RS Rally2, with a view to future implementation.”

Speaking in the car’s reveal video factory Skoda rally driver Oliver Solberg, who has driven the concept car, said: “I have to say this new Enyaq RS race is a really exciting car to drive.

“First of all it is super fast and secondly to go that fast this car is much more stable and it feels lower it is not like driving an SUV it feels really cool and fun to drive. It is much more nimble and fun to play with the car.

Skoda Enyaq RS Race

Skoda Enyaq RS Race

Photo by: Skoda Motorsport

“I think they have done a good job with the road car to give it more of a rally feeling.”

While the Enyaq RS Race is a concept currently, the project could point towards the car maker’s future direction in motorsport.

The FIA is currently working to form the WRC’s new 2027 regulations with EV, hybrid and ICE powertrains up for discussion.



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EV, hybrid, ICE power on the table for WRC 2027

Опубликовано от ASPPA IMAGES ANO


Full electric, hybrid and internal combustion engine powertrains remain as options for the World Rally Championship’s 2027 regulations, according to FIA technical director Xavier Mestelan Pinon.

The FIA has been working for more than 18 months to devise the future direction of the Rally1 and Rally2 WRC classes and is expected top present its 2027 regulations at the World Motor Sport Council in December. 

The world motorsport governing body is hoping to create a rule set that will safeguard the involvement of current marques and attract new brands to the discipline. While firm decisions on the 2027 regulations are yet to be made, it appears the proposal the FIA’s taskforce published in February offers a relatively accurate framework for what could be the future of Rally1 and Rally2 classes.

The Rally1 spaceframe chassis, which has increased safety levels and accommodated various car model body shapes, since it was launched in 2022, is expected to continue with adaptations. Plans to expand chassis construction out to tuning companies, and not locked to only manufacturers, is being discussed. 

The FIA is working to reduce costs with the previously touted figure of 400,000 euros for a Rally1 car among the ongoing talks. Rally1 cars are expected to based on road-going vehicles and are likely to undergo a drop in performance and aerodynamics to help make the category more accessible to developing drivers.

Internal combustion engines, hybrid and EV powertrains remain on the table for discussion alongside the possibility of some form of equivalence of technology should the rules develop to be open to various technologies. 

“We can consider that all technologies are suitable but what is important is to take the best decision what is good for rally in terms of technology and which championship is good for each technology,” Mestelan Pinon told Autosport.

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: Toyota Racing

“Today we strongly believe that biofuel or synthetic fuel is a good business and now after that we want to open the rules to electrify the engine and when I say that it could be hybrid or full EV. This is something again we need to finalise but this is the target. 

“This would be based one the same chassis so with the same suspension, body shell and so on because it is important that an ICE car and an electrified vehicle have the same performance. Of course we would have to define an equivalence of technology and this something that we can manage well in other categories.

“The target again is to have more cars in the Rally1 category so that means the basic car will be ICE. 

“We strongly believe that an electrified version could make sense and we have had some discussions with potential newcomers and current manufacturers so it is very difficult to say. 

“We need to be openminded. It is too difficult to say if the direction will be ICE and full EV or ICE and full EV plus hybrid, it is too early. 

“My personal opinion is that full EV could make sense because for stages that are 35 kilometres it is easy to manage with the same level of performance as the ICE car and you can have some charging unit at the end of each stage. 

“This is a thing we need to decide altogether with the WRC Commission president but with the manufacturers the promoters and World Motor Sport Council so it is a global decision.”

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: Red Bull Content Pool

Rally1 has adopted hybrid power since 2022 with 1.6 litre turbocharged engines married to a control Compact Dynamics hybrid kit generating around 500 horsepower in short bursts. 

While rallycross has adopted full electric power, it is still in its infancy in rallying. Although, the ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup, based around the 100kW two-wheel-drive Opel Corsa-e Rally car, is in its fourth season of competition with its final round at the World Rally Championship’s Central European Rally next week.

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На Ралли Марокко погиб мотогонщик

Опубликовано от ASPPA IMAGES ANO


На финальном этапе чемпионата мира по ралли-рейдам в Марокко в понедельник, 7 октября, произошла трагедия. В аварии на стартовом спецучастке погиб 47-летний французский мотоциклист Фредерик Бодри.

Мотогонщик упал с дюны на 97 километре дистанции и был экстренно эвакуирован на вертолёте в больницу. К сожалению, врачи оказались бессильны – спортсмен скончался, не приходя в сознание.

Фредерик Бодри проводил второй ралли-рейд в карьере. В январе 2025 года французский мотогонщик планировал дебютировать в ралли-марафоне «Дакар».

«Организаторы Ралли Марокко выражают искренние соболезнования семье и друзьям Фредерика», — говорится в заявлении промоутеров соревнования.



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Croatia edging closer to WRC return in 2026

Опубликовано от ASPPA IMAGES ANO


Rally Croatia organisers have announced that they have succeeded in securing the government guarantees necessary to prepare for a return to the World Rally Championship.

The asphalt event made its WRC debut in 2021 quickly becoming a regular hosting four editions of the event before losing its place on the 2025 calendar.

The 14-round 2025 WRC calendar was announced in July with three new rallies with the Canary Islands, Paraguay and Saudi Arabia joining the schedule.

The WRC Promoter was in discussions to renew its agreement with a three-year deal on the table, but Croatia Rally organisers were unable to secure the support and guarantees from the local government.

Plan «B» was to host a European Rally Championship round in 2025 and try to secure a place on the WRC calendar for 2026 and 2027. This too was uncertain, as the government delayed sending the relevant documents.

However, rally organisers have announced that the future of the rally has been secured and a new deal is expected to agreed with WRC Promoter.

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

In an official statement, organisers have communicated that «all necessary documentation for hosting the European Rally Championship (ERC) and the World Rally Championship (WRC) in Croatia from 2025 to 2027 has been collected. In the coming days, the official signing of the agreement between the Croatia Rally organisers and the WRC promoter is expected, followed by the start of preparations.”

Daniel Saskin, chairman of the Croatia Rally organising committee, said: “In 2025, we are bringing the European Rally Championship to Croatia, and then in 2026 and 2027, the WRC Croatia Rally will return. We thank all the institutions for their support, especially the Government of the Republic of Croatia and the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, who recognised the value of this motorsport event for Croatia.

«Starting today, together with the WRC promoter and our local partners, counties, and municipalities, we begin negotiations on the preparation and execution of the event. We thank the City of Zagreb and the Croatian Auto and Karting Association for their continued support as important partners in these events.”

WRC Promoter, who is also responsible for the ERC, is still working on next year’s schedule, which should comprise eight rounds including Wales’ Rali Ceredigion. 

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