• Welcome to Motorsport Forums, the ultimate hub for motorsport fans since 2000! Click here to register. It is completely free, takes just a few seconds, and you can sign in instantly with your Google account.

2026 WRC News & Rumours

deephouse said:
As qualification stage is again considered from 2027 onwards, because the cars might be so close in performance that crews with later positions will have no sweeping advantage on gravel rallies my thoughts again did went a little wild.

What about esports or simulator qualification stage. Held on thursday, when rally usually start. There would be many simulators in room and would have prepared setups from various cars like in reality (Toyota, Hyundai, M-Sport, Skoda, Lancia...). All 60 drivers would drive a stage and would not have sweeping disadvantage there as in reality, when there is always this aspect present. When all would finish, there would be live coverage of drivers picking their road position for friday. That means fastest driver would pick from 60 positions, 2nd fastest from 59 and so on until the last one. Also it could count as additional points for championship to give crews extra motivation. And that way it would give anyone equal chance to be good and have their 5min of fame, even younger ones. I know that older ones would complain as they wouldn't be good at first, but when there would be points in the game, believe me, even Ogier would become a geek. Also it would bring something new to the sport, maybe bring new younger audience to the sport and bring this qualification thing a bit fair to anyone. I think it would also irradicate one being too dominate all the time as it would be in reality.

What do you guys think? Give them RBR to spice things up haha
Click to expand...
but normally before the qualy they all run 1 to 3 times the stage during the shakedown, so the stage is all sweept alreday. no huge differences from the ones starting later.
 
Hard to take them serious when they say "interest in the WRC". But let's say it like this, if any manu would be interested, then potentially a Chinese one for brand placement. They also have the money. But if you know how China operates: This can end quickly at some point, they could be gone from one event to the next
 
Ferranis said:
Hard to take them serious when they say "interest in the WRC". But let's say it like this, if any manu would be interested, then potentially a Chinese one for brand placement. They also have the money. But if you know how China operates: This can end quickly at some point, they could be gone from one event to the next
Click to expand...

That's nothing different than other Manufacturers we've seen in the past, like Citroen or Mitsubishi/Subaru/Suzuki.

Chinese manufacturers are nowadays more and more prominent in the market, in the European one as well, so they're very welcome imho.
 
What would also be interesting regarding Chinese manus: From what I see they heavily invested in electro. I hope, but doubt them coming when not at least a hybrid powertrain is in place
 
Ferranis said:
What would also be interesting regarding Chinese manus: From what I see they heavily invested in electro. I hope, but doubt them coming when not at least a hybrid powertrain is in place
Click to expand...

Ah no, dont throw different fuel and powertrain into the mix as well ! ;)
 
HQePN5eXQAE6C-8



Malcolm Wilson wants a Chinese Manufacturer in the WRC and an event in China:

dirtfish.com

Three Chinese manufacturers showing interest in WRC – DirtFish

WRC – FIA deputy president Malcolm Wilson has identified China as a ‘clear target’ for the world championship
dirtfish.com dirtfish.com
 
Last edited:
Usually we would be so happy, but we can't be, sadly, as there is no such good news in WRC world. And regarding their focus on electric, well they are in touring cars for many years now and there were never electric or hybrid power, but they still racing with Lynk&Co with ICE engines.

Also that article is misleading as 3 chinese brands, Geely and Lynk&Co are practically the same manufacturers, so that don't count as 2, but 1. Those days when manufacturers run two brands in championship is over. Wonder what other is, that one, no named.
 
Last edited:
So a European company will build generic products and stick various Chinese brandings on and the products will be used in China.

Interesting.
 
27Stan said:
So a European company will build generic products and stick various Chinese brandings on and the products will be used in China.

Interesting.
Click to expand...

The Official Car of Rally Italia Sardegna does actually this job. DR Motors have the car factory in Molise region (Italy), brands their car as DR Motor or EVO, but basically they're Chery cars (rebadged).

If it works with them, it could work also for Project Rally1 taking over one of them, for example... why not eventually? I'd be fine with it
 
SAUDI WRC FINALE ON THE BRINK

The chances of Rally Saudi Arabia hosting the 2026 WRC finale are looking increasingly slim as the security situation across the Middle East continues to deteriorate.

The Jeddah-based event remains officially scheduled for 11–14 November, but growing international travel and security warnings are adding further pressure ahead of the FIA's expected decision later this month.

The US continues to warn of heightened regional risks, while UK advice highlights the threat of missile and drone attacks against Saudi infrastructure, including airports and the Red Sea coast. Several other governments have adopted stronger advice, including restrictions on non-essential travel.

Fresh missile and drone activity across the Middle East has only increased concerns, with the potential for further escalation, airspace disruption and flight cancellations creating an obvious logistical challenge for WRC teams, officials, media and travelling fans.

Saudi Arabia has not been cancelled and remains on the official calendar. However, Granada and Catalunya have already been reported as potential alternatives should the finale need to be moved.

With the FIA approaching its decision and the regional situation continuing to develop, pressure is mounting on Saudi Arabia's place as the 2026 WRC finale.

Source - RallyFish
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top