The 2026 FIA World Rally Championship gets underway at Rallye Monte-Carlo (January 22-25) – the Alpine classic marking the first of 14 rounds which lie in wait through the season.
A new-look TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team will begin its 10th season of competition when the 2026 FIA World Rally Championship gets underway.
After a record-breaking 2025 campaign, TGR-WRT enters this year with the goal to successfully defend its manufacturers’, drivers’ and co-drivers’ titles. Not resting on its laurels, the team continues to work on improving the all-conquering GR YARIS Rally1 car, which also sports a striking new red, white and black livery.
Making use of the homologation jokers available for the final season of the current Rally1 regulations, the team has focused on developments around aerodynamics and suspension. These include a new rear wing (fitted to the three manufacturer entries for round one) while the introduction of new parts to the suspension system allows for greater setup possibilities.
The team once more counts on a strong and exciting driver line-up with all five GR YARIS Rally1 crews in action on round one.
Sébastien Ogier claimed a record-equalling ninth world championship in a thrilling conclusion to the 2025 season, guided by co-driver Vincent Landais. He is also the most successful driver in the long history of Rallye Monte-Carlo, which is based in his hometown of Gap in the French Alps, having achieved his 10th victory one year ago.
Elfyn Evans embarks on his seventh successive full season with TGR-WRT, along with co-driver Scott Martin. Last year’s championship runners-up, they have finished on the podium four times at Rallye Monte-Carlo during their time with the team, including second place in 2025.
Joining the line-up for the 2026 season are Oliver Solberg and co-driver Elliott Edmondson following their dominant run to last year’s WRC2 title in the GR Yaris Rally2 car plus victory on their GR YARIS Rally1 debut in Estonia. With six previous Rallye Monte-Carlo starts to his name, Solberg is the third final driver nominated to score manufacturers’ points for TGR-WRT.
Also competing in a fourth car under the TGR-WRT banner are Takamoto Katsuta, looking to build upon a previous best finish of sixth on the event with co-driver Aaron Johnston.
Sami Pajari meanwhile begins his second season under the TGR-WRT2 banner, with the goal to continue the strong progress he demonstrated during his rookie campaign last year alongside co-driver Marko Salminen.
Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team has its sights set on a strong start to the 2026 FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) season.
Hyundai Motorsport is once more targeting victory at the season opener as it did it 2020 and 2024, with permanent crews Neuville/Wydaeghe and Fourmaux/Coria aiming to finish on the top step.
Paddon and Kennard will be the first of three rotational crews to man the third Hyundai i20 N Rally1 car, marking their return to the championship for the first time in eight years. Thorough testing and unyielding experience put the team in good stead for a solid result at the end of the weekend.
M-Sport Ford World Rally Team targets a strong start at the opening round of the 2026 FIA World Rally Championship, with Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy crews Josh McErlean / Eoin Treacy and Jon Armstrong / Shane Byrne ready to launch into action on the iconic event.
M-Sport favouring youth over experience when it comes to its World Rally Championship driver line-up is nothing new, having developed a reputation for being perennial producer of star talent.
Offering full-time drives to Irish duo Josh McErlean and Rally1 rookie Jon Armstrong. On paper the duo is clearly the least experienced 2026 line-up when it comes to competing in rallying’s top tier, but M-Sport team principal Richard Millener is predicting his Motorsport Ireland-backed drivers will deliver an “exciting year” and challenge the WRC’s elite during the campaign.
