MagpieRacer
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As the chapter closes on one era of the WRC, a new one opens. brand new regulations come into effect for 2027 which gets underway in just a few months time in Monte-Carlo. Here is everything we know.
The new car regulations have been designed to make it affordable and flexible for manufacturers to enter the sport. With a 345'000 Euro cost cap for a race ready car, common space frame cell, Rally2 derived gearbox and engines with no hybrid system required, and flexibility on bodywork allowing for a wide range of car styles to be entered. There will be the option for teams/manufacturers to fit a Rally1 kit to an existing Rally2 car to be able to compete in the top class.
The top class, confusingly, will still be known as Rally1. Despite running the same engine and gearbox as the Rally2 cars, the Rally1 cars will have more power thanks to a larger restrictor which will give the Rally1 cars a boost of between 12 and 15bhp. Cars updated from Rally2 to Rally1 spec will also gain pace thanks to a 10kg drop in the minimum weight.
Currently, there are only a few confirmed entries for 2027, I will keep this list updated as more teams and drivers are confirmed.
Toyota GR WRT
Car: TBC
Drivers: TBC
Toyota are currently the only confirmed full manufacturer entry for 2027. They have been testing a 2027 prototype very comprehensively, using a car that appears to be based on the Yaris but with a more coupe body style, initially thought to be the Celica. It is unconfirmed if it is based on an upcoming road car or is a true prototype. Driver lineup is as yet unconfirmed but expect Elfyn Evans, Oliver Solberg and Sami Pajari to remain. Ogier has confirmed he will not be seen much, indicating he intends to drive but far less than he has been. Ott Tanak has also been the primary test driver for Toyota, fuelling speculation of a return to the WRC.
M-Sport Ford
Car: Fiesta (Rally1 kit)
Drivers: TBC
Ford announced a return to the WRC as a full manufacturer entry from 2028, however they will support M-Sport through 2027. M-Sport, and Ford in 2028, will run an adapted Fiesta Rally2 as their entry, utilising the Rally1 kit to bring the car to the required level to compete at the top. Like Toyota, drivers are unconfirmed. With rumours of Hyundai pulling out completely, some big names will be left without a drive, Thierry Neuville and Adrien Formaux in particular, Formaux has previous with the Rally2 Fiesta, including winning the British Rally Championship. Jon Armstrong impressed at times in 2026, and is also comfortable with Rally2 spec machinery.
Project Rally One
Car: Rally One
Drivers: TBC
PRO revealed their car last month, bearing a striking resemblance to the Porsche Macan. It is a bespoke rally prototype, running VAG running gear from the Skoda Fabia Rally2 with the Rally1 spec kit. They will not run a full season, initially focusing on the tarmac rounds, including expectation of fielding 2 cars at Monte-Carlo and competing in the Belgian Rally Championship. Drivers are unconfirmed, Bruno Thiry and Stephane Lefebvre have been testing the car, but it is unclear who is in the running to pilot it in the WRC.
WRT Rally1 Spain
Car: TBC
Drivers: TBC
Not much is known about this project other than they are targeting 5 rounds in 2027 with a full campaign in 2028. Backed by the Spanish Motorsport Federation and RMC Motorsport, they will be building their own engines, but it is unclear what car, or type of car, they will be using. Rumours circulated of them using Toyota's but there is nothing confirmed. Dani Sordo has naturally been linked with the project and they are slated to debut in Croatia.
The first few rounds could be a Toyota show, depending on the competitiveness of the Rally1 kit attached to the M-Sport cars. Rally2 cars will be closer in stage times and could get involved in the overall order. Hyundai, Skoda and Lancia have already confirmed they will not be developing a Rally1 kit for 2027.
Official Calendar announced for WRC 2027
Rallye Monte-Carlo - January 21-24 - Mixed
Rally Sweden - February 18-21 - Snow
Safari Rally Kenya - March 18-21 - Gravel
Croatia Rally - April 8-11 - Tarmac
Rally Islas Canarias - May 6-9 - Tarmac
Rally Japan - June 3-6 - Tarmac
Acropolis Rally Greece - June 24-27 - Gravel
Rally d'Italia - July 8-11 (New - Rome) - Tarmac
Rally Estonia - July 22-25 - Gravel
Rally Finland - July 29-Aug 1 - Gravel
Rally US - Aug 26-29 (New) - Gravel
Rally Scotland - Sep 30-Oct 3 (New) - Gravel
Rally del Paraguay - October 21-24 - Gravel
Rally Chile BioBio - Nov 4-7 - Gravel
Rally Saudi Arabia - November 25-28 - Gravel
The new car regulations have been designed to make it affordable and flexible for manufacturers to enter the sport. With a 345'000 Euro cost cap for a race ready car, common space frame cell, Rally2 derived gearbox and engines with no hybrid system required, and flexibility on bodywork allowing for a wide range of car styles to be entered. There will be the option for teams/manufacturers to fit a Rally1 kit to an existing Rally2 car to be able to compete in the top class.
The top class, confusingly, will still be known as Rally1. Despite running the same engine and gearbox as the Rally2 cars, the Rally1 cars will have more power thanks to a larger restrictor which will give the Rally1 cars a boost of between 12 and 15bhp. Cars updated from Rally2 to Rally1 spec will also gain pace thanks to a 10kg drop in the minimum weight.
Currently, there are only a few confirmed entries for 2027, I will keep this list updated as more teams and drivers are confirmed.
Toyota GR WRT
Car: TBC
Drivers: TBC
Toyota are currently the only confirmed full manufacturer entry for 2027. They have been testing a 2027 prototype very comprehensively, using a car that appears to be based on the Yaris but with a more coupe body style, initially thought to be the Celica. It is unconfirmed if it is based on an upcoming road car or is a true prototype. Driver lineup is as yet unconfirmed but expect Elfyn Evans, Oliver Solberg and Sami Pajari to remain. Ogier has confirmed he will not be seen much, indicating he intends to drive but far less than he has been. Ott Tanak has also been the primary test driver for Toyota, fuelling speculation of a return to the WRC.
M-Sport Ford
Car: Fiesta (Rally1 kit)
Drivers: TBC
Ford announced a return to the WRC as a full manufacturer entry from 2028, however they will support M-Sport through 2027. M-Sport, and Ford in 2028, will run an adapted Fiesta Rally2 as their entry, utilising the Rally1 kit to bring the car to the required level to compete at the top. Like Toyota, drivers are unconfirmed. With rumours of Hyundai pulling out completely, some big names will be left without a drive, Thierry Neuville and Adrien Formaux in particular, Formaux has previous with the Rally2 Fiesta, including winning the British Rally Championship. Jon Armstrong impressed at times in 2026, and is also comfortable with Rally2 spec machinery.
Project Rally One
Car: Rally One
Drivers: TBC
PRO revealed their car last month, bearing a striking resemblance to the Porsche Macan. It is a bespoke rally prototype, running VAG running gear from the Skoda Fabia Rally2 with the Rally1 spec kit. They will not run a full season, initially focusing on the tarmac rounds, including expectation of fielding 2 cars at Monte-Carlo and competing in the Belgian Rally Championship. Drivers are unconfirmed, Bruno Thiry and Stephane Lefebvre have been testing the car, but it is unclear who is in the running to pilot it in the WRC.
WRT Rally1 Spain
Car: TBC
Drivers: TBC
Not much is known about this project other than they are targeting 5 rounds in 2027 with a full campaign in 2028. Backed by the Spanish Motorsport Federation and RMC Motorsport, they will be building their own engines, but it is unclear what car, or type of car, they will be using. Rumours circulated of them using Toyota's but there is nothing confirmed. Dani Sordo has naturally been linked with the project and they are slated to debut in Croatia.
The first few rounds could be a Toyota show, depending on the competitiveness of the Rally1 kit attached to the M-Sport cars. Rally2 cars will be closer in stage times and could get involved in the overall order. Hyundai, Skoda and Lancia have already confirmed they will not be developing a Rally1 kit for 2027.
Official Calendar announced for WRC 2027
Rallye Monte-Carlo - January 21-24 - Mixed
Rally Sweden - February 18-21 - Snow
Safari Rally Kenya - March 18-21 - Gravel
Croatia Rally - April 8-11 - Tarmac
Rally Islas Canarias - May 6-9 - Tarmac
Rally Japan - June 3-6 - Tarmac
Acropolis Rally Greece - June 24-27 - Gravel
Rally d'Italia - July 8-11 (New - Rome) - Tarmac
Rally Estonia - July 22-25 - Gravel
Rally Finland - July 29-Aug 1 - Gravel
Rally US - Aug 26-29 (New) - Gravel
Rally Scotland - Sep 30-Oct 3 (New) - Gravel
Rally del Paraguay - October 21-24 - Gravel
Rally Chile BioBio - Nov 4-7 - Gravel
Rally Saudi Arabia - November 25-28 - Gravel
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