Preparations for the 2026 World Rally Championship started in earnest final weekend only a matter of days after introduced the curtain down on the 2025 marketing campaign.
With the opening spherical of the 2026 season in Monte Carlo [22-25 January] slightly greater than a month away, and each fielded vehicles in final weekend’s Rallye Nationwide Hivernal du Devoluy in France.
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The ten-stage asphalt occasion held in moist and snowy situations provided Toyota’s new recruit and co-driver a primary alternative to drive the GR Yaris Rally1 on asphalt. It additionally offered Hyundai the right proving floor for to develop the i20 N Rally1 Evo automobile, which has to this point struggled to carry out on asphalt – notably when the highway floor turns into slippery.
Hyundai additionally entered its new recruit in an i20 N Rally2 to permit the New Zealander to become familiar with the Hankook tyres forward of his return to the WRC high tier after an eight-year hiatus.
Solberg is aware of what he wants and desires
Solberg’s final outing within the GR Yaris Rally1 got here on gravel when he famously received Rally Estonia in what was then a one-off outing for the Toyota manufacturing unit squad.
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Now rewarded with a full-time seat on the manufacturing unit group for 2026, the Swede described the rally as a “crucial” check to arrange for the challenges of Monte Carlo subsequent month.
Picture by: Toyota
Solberg seemingly rapidly adjusted to the automobile in tough situations for the primary time, claiming 4 stage wins throughout the rally to complete the occasion solely 14.7s behind eventual winner Fourmaux.
The largest eye-opener for the brand new WRC2 champion was understanding the automobile’s aerodynamics on asphalt. Solberg now believes he has a stable basis to work from when the season begins subsequent month.
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“The feeling [driving on asphalt] is totally different. On gravel it feels fairly pure however right here it’s essential to perceive [the car],” mentioned Solberg.
“On gravel, you’re fairly restricted by the grip and you’re at all times floating and you may really feel your method with the aero. However right here, it’s essential to study the aero and belief it as a result of right here you will have plenty of grip after which in a number of the quick corners you’re like ‘ah I can go quick’. It’s a bit totally different.
“I began with a primary arrange. I haven’t had a check, so I didn’t know what concept I ought to have after which it’s a must to really feel slightly bit and see what you are able to do. I’ve an concept in my head now for what I want and what I would like.
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“For me, this is superb and crucial as I can get an concept in regards to the automobile and what I want to enhance with my driving and we had an opportunity to vary one thing [on the car], so it has been superb. It’s simply superb tuning for my driving now.”
Picture by: Hyundai Motorsport
Fourmaux: Hyundai goes in the fitting route
Fourmaux was aware of each the situations and the occasion’s phases after beating Toyota’s to the victory 12 months in the past in what was his first aggressive drive for Hyundai after switching from M-Sport-Ford.
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The Frenchman posted the quickest instances on six of the ten assessments to increase his profitable run on the rally, however the primary focus for Hyundai was on enhancing its recalcitrant i20 N on asphalt.
In keeping with Forumaux, the automobile has made progress sufficient to depart him feeling optimistic forward of Monte Carlo, however there may be nonetheless some work nonetheless to do.
Hyundai is anticipated to bear an intensive check programme over the low season creating its automobile. The squad is anticipated to deploy bonus homologation jokers provided to all groups by the FIA, to enhance sure features of its challenger in what would be the last season of Rally1 rules.
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“The plan for this rally was clear: to enhance the automobile within the moist and slippery situations. We had been blissful to have Oliver there to see the place we’re, after which we tried to essentially work on our weak point,” mentioned Fourmaux.
“It was fairly optimistic. We nonetheless have some jobs to do however Monte Carlo is just not tomorrow, and we’ve got some check days.
“[The car] goes in the fitting route, so I’m fairly optimistic. There’s nonetheless some work for certain, and we tried to determine what’s unsuitable with one factor on the automobile. However after we kind it, I believe it’s going to be okay.”
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