Lancia is accelerating its return to professional motorsport, conducting private tests for its Ypsilon Rally2 HF car in central Finland this week. According to reports from RallyJournal.com, the manufacturer used the sessions to evaluate the vehicle’s performance, with drivers Mārtiņš Sesks and Teemu Suninen both behind the wheel.
Why is Lancia testing in Finland?
Lancia is using the Finnish test sessions to refine the Ypsilon Rally2 HF as part of a broader strategy to rejoin the top tier of the World Rally Championship (WRC). The manufacturer confirmed that current testing serves as a foundational development phase for its long-term objective of competing in the upcoming “WRC27” era. According to Lancia CEO Roberta Zerbi, as reported by Rallyissimo, the brand is satisfied with the car’s current development, specifically noting its speed on asphalt surfaces.
Did you know? Teemu Suninen’s participation in the Lancia tests follows his second-place finish at the Rally di Roma. Suninen has publicly stated his ambition to return to the WRC’s top class for the next season.
What changes are coming with WRC27?
The 2027 technical regulations aim to lower entry barriers for manufacturers by reducing costs and attracting new manufacturers. It is expected that the new rules will align top-tier rally cars more closely with the existing Rally2 platform. This transition is expected to make the sport more accessible for brands like Lancia, allowing them to leverage their current Rally2 engineering investments when moving into the premier class.
How does Lancia’s strategy compare to current WRC standards?
Lancia’s current approach utilizes the Rally2 category as a testing ground for future premier-class technology. Lancia’s explicit focus on the WRC27 era, as stated by Roberta Zerbi, highlights a strategic decision to prepare for the upcoming regulatory reset.
Pro Tip: Watch for manufacturer announcements regarding 2026 test programs, as these will likely signal which teams are fully committed to the 2027 technical transition.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will Lancia return to the top class of the WRC?
Lancia has identified the WRC27 era as its primary target for returning to the top tier, utilizing development data from its current Ypsilon Rally2 HF program.
Who has been testing the Lancia Ypsilon Rally2 HF?
According to RallyJournal.com, Mārtiņš Sesks conducted tests on Monday, followed by Teemu Suninen on Tuesday.
Why are the 2027 WRC rules significant?
The 2027 rules are designed to decrease costs and attract new manufacturers by narrowing the technical gap between the top-tier cars and the more affordable Rally2 category.
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