by Lancia’s Historic Victory in the World Rally Championship
The Italian automaker Lancia returned to the World Rally Championship this year and has already achieved historic success. After a break of more than 30 years, the team once again climbed to the top step of the podium, winning the Rally Croatia. For a brand that virtually disappeared from the radar after leaving the championship in 1992, this is truly a monumental achievement.
Success in the WRC2 Category
It is important to note that the Lancia Ypsilon, driven by Yoann Rossel and Arnaud Dunand, competed not in the main class, but in the secondary WRC2 category. However, this allows Lancia to add another trophy to its collection, which already includes a record 10 manufacturer titles in the World Rally Championship, won during the brand’s golden era.
The crew of Rossel and Dunand won six special stages during the race. The second Lancia team with drivers Nikolay Gryazin and Konstantin Aleksandrov also showed a high result, taking third place after seven stage wins. In total, Lancia cars won 13 out of 20 special stages of the rally.
Leadership in the Standings
Thanks to such a strong result, the Lancia Corse HF team now leads the WRC2 team standings with 84 points. Yoann Rossel also climbed to third place in the drivers’ personal standings, while Nikolay Gryazin occupies fifth place.
Powerful Ypsilon Version
Lancia returned to the World Rally Championship this year, presenting a car based on the latest generation Ypsilon. To comply with regulations, it uses a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, all-wheel drive, and a five-speed sequential gearbox.
It was a fantastic rally, for us and for the team. We knew that Lancia’s ambition this year was a strong return to the WRC. After Monte-Carlo, everything was a bit difficult for me, as the result did not meet expectations, but here in Croatia, at the second round, everything was perfect – from tire choice to car setup. We were always in control of the situation. I am very happy for the team, for myself, and for all Lancia fans.
The return of a legendary brand like Lancia to the world of high speeds is a landmark event for all of motorsport. The success in Croatia not only demonstrates the team’s competitiveness but also revives the spirit of great victories of the past. This victory in the WRC2 category may be only the first step in a larger plan to restore the brand’s presence on the world stage, inspiring a new generation of engineers and drivers. Future championship rounds will show whether Lancia can build on this success and regain its former glory at the highest level.
