The British GT Championship kicked off its Brands Hatch race weekend with a damp start, setting the stage for an exciting day of racing action. Championship leaders demonstrated their prowess in the challenging conditions, while young guns made their mark in the GT4 class.
Browsing: WRC
In a thrilling start to the Rally Poland event, Hyundai’s Ott Tanak has taken an early lead after edging out his team-mate and WRC points leader Thierry Neuville on the opening stage. The side-by-side Mikolajki Arena spectacle kicked off the rally with a packed crowd in attendance, setting the stage for an exciting weekend of WRC action.
Toyota has called upon reigning WRC champion Kalle Rovanpera to replace the injured Sébastien Ogier and co-driver Vincent Landais at this week’s Rally Poland, a last-minute decision that the young Finnish driver admits will pose ‘a big challenge.’ Rovanpera and co-driver Jonne Halttunen will need to complete the entire recce process in just over 24 hours before the event kicks off on Thursday night.
Thierry Neuville, the current WRC points leader, is hopeful that contract renewal talks with Hyundai can begin soon once the manufacturer’s plan to utilize its development jokers for its World Rally Championship (WRC) car is confirmed. The Belgian driver is relieved by the FIA’s decision to uphold the current Rally1 and Rally2 technical regulations, which he believes will secure the participation of current manufacturers and improve the promotion and evolution of the championship.
In a dramatic turn of events, Toyota GAZOO Racing has announced that rising WRC star Kalle Rovanpera will replace the injured Sebastien Ogier for the upcoming Rally Poland event. This decision comes after Ogier and his co-driver Vincent Landais were involved in a road traffic accident while preparing pacenotes.
The 2023 Rally Sardinia in the World Rally Championship (WRC) delivered a nail-biting finish as Ott Tänak of Hyundai edged out Toyota’s Sébastien Ogier by just 0.2 seconds to claim victory, marking the joint-closest finish for a win in WRC history.
Sébastien Ogier and his co-driver Vincent Landais have been involved in a road accident during reconnaissance for the upcoming Dakar Rally round in Poland. The factory Toyota drivers are currently undergoing medical checks, and further details about the incident and their condition have not yet been disclosed.
Toyota has made a strategic move in its 2023 WRC driver lineup, with rising star Sami Pajari set to make his highly anticipated Rally1 debut at his home event, Rally Finland. This change in schedule promises to add an extra layer of excitement for car racing enthusiasts closely following the WRC championship.
Martins Sesks, the 2023 European Rally Championship runner-up, is all set to make his World Rally Championship (WRC) debut in the non-hybrid powered Ford Puma Rally1 car. This will be the first time the non-hybrid Puma Rally1 car will compete in the WRC, as Sesks prepares for his home round in Latvia.
The FIA World Rally Championship’s debut of its new 48-hour sprint rally format at Rally Monza was a nail-biting affair, with Ott Tanak of Hyundai snatching victory from eight-time champion Sebastien Ogier in the final stage. This thrilling conclusion capped off an exciting addition to the WRC calendar, showcasing the intense competition and drama that defines international rally racing.