Final rally signals the end of the Rally1 era as Adrien Fourmaux steers the Hyundai i20 N towards a grand finale on Sardinia’s gravel.
Fourmaux’s campaign across Rally1 models
Fourmaux has piloted every iteration of the Rally1 specification since its 2022 debut—first in the M‑Sport‑Ford Puma in 2022 and 2024, then in the Hyundai i20 N Rally1 during 2025 and 2026. His drive across the machines has been marked by a persistent quest for his maiden World Rally Championship victory.
- M‑Sport‑Ford Puma – 2022, 2024
- Hyundai i20 N Rally1 – 2025, 2026
With the Sardinian stages coming in October, Fourmaux acknowledged the risk of rain while emphasizing the demanding nature of the gravel stages. “If it stays dry, the rally will remain as fierce as ever,” he noted, warning that managing the technical and environmental variables will be key for a successful wrap‑up.
Hyundai’s strategy for the coming years
Hyundai has ruled out developing a 2027‑spec WRC car, opting instead to invest in a heavily revised Rally2 platform. The new car, once homologated, would allow Hyundai to participate in the top class alongside the upcoming WRC27 technical regulations, which aim to align Rally2 machines with their more advanced counterparts. Hyundai’s strategy reflects its intention to maintain competitiveness while managing costs, though the company has yet to finalize the Rally2 update kit announced by the FIA.
M‑Sport’s plans and potential Ford return
M‑Sport has committed to delivering an upgrade kit for its Ford Fiesta Rally2 in 2027, keeping the path open for a full Ford re‑entry into the top tier of the championship. Meanwhile, Fourmaux has indicated he might step back to Rally2 machinery for a season if opportunities arise, yet he desires to remain in the highest level of competition as long as possible.
Spec changes and the future of the championship
Next year’s regulations will shift the focus to the slower, more affordable Rally2 cars under the WRC27 umbrella. The current Rally1 cars, recognized for their speed and technology, represent the pinnacle of WRC engineering for the past generation. With the final Sarde sentence…
Future of WRC after Rally1
The dust will settle on Sardinia’s gravel as the Rally1 era ends, and the championship turns its eyes toward the 2027 WRC27 rollout—marking a transition to more accessible, yet still fiercely competitive machinery.
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