Historic Lancia Victory in the World Rally Championship
After a break of more than thirty years, the Lancia team has once again climbed to the top step of the podium in the World Rally Championship, achieving a historic victory at the Rally Croatia this past weekend. For a brand that practically disappeared from the radar after its official exit from the sport in 1992, this is truly a monumental achievement.
It is important to note that the winning Lancia Ypsilon, driven by Yoann Rossel and Arnaud Dunand, is competing not in the main class, but in the WRC2 category. However, this allows Lancia to add another trophy to its collection, which already includes a record 10 manufacturer titles in the WRC, won during the brand’s golden era.
Confident Dominance on the Track
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 an excellent result, taking third place after seven stage wins. In total, Lancia cars won 13 out of 20 special stages of the rally.
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.
Return of a Legend
Lancia returned to the World Rally Championship this year, presenting a car based on the latest generation Ypsilon. To comply with the 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, it was a bit difficult for me because 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. I am very happy for the team, for myself, and for all Lancia fans.
The success in Croatia not only ended the long wait for the legend’s return but also clearly demonstrated that the team is capable of competing effectively at the modern level. Leading the team standings after only the second round of the season indicates a well-prepared program and serious intentions. This victory likely holds great symbolic significance for the entire automotive world, reminding us of the legacy of a brand that once dictated fashion in rallying. Now, much attention is focused on whether the team can maintain this initial momentum throughout the season and whether this return will become the beginning of a new long and successful chapter in Lancia’s motorsport history.