Lancia Needs To Do To Transform Its Rally Return

Next year, the Italian company will return to racing, this time in the Rally4 class.

The reason behind Lancia's rally comeback in Rally4 and the prerequisites for a World Rally Championship revival have been clarified by Eugenio Franzetti, the company's sporting director.

With the launch of their brand-new Ypsilon Rally4 vehicle next year, Lancia, the holder of a record ten WRC constructors' titles (1974–1976, 1983, 1987–1992), is expected to make a comeback to the rally circuit. The vehicle, which was officially unveiled last month, will participate in the new one-make Lancia Rally Trophy as well as the Italian Rally Championship.

Fifty years after winning its first WRC championship with the legendary Stratos in 1974, Lancia is making a comeback to rallying with the development of the two-wheel drive Ypsilon Rally4.

Although Lancia's rise has generated a lot of excitement, there had been conjecture that it would take into account a Rally2 program. In the end, it verified a Rally4 initiative that will see the brand compete in the European Rally Championship in 2026.

After the WRC releases its technical requirements for 2027, Lancia would think about creating a business strategy, but she hasn't ruled out a future WRC comeback. It is anticipated that the FIA will unveil its new rules in December of this year.

Franzetti claims that one of the factors that convinced the automaker to return to the bottom of the rally pyramid was the stability of the Rally4 rules.

"What we want are the regulations for 2027, as well as the knowledge of how the future Rally2 and Rally1 will be constructed. After we comprehend this, we will be able to determine the cost of production in a few months. We may then draft a business strategy if we comprehend the regulations," Franzetti told the Italian version of Motorsport.com.

We can determine whether this scale is good by placing the expenses on one side and the value of visibility and income on the other once the company plan has been developed.

"There is a return on investment in the motorsports we do. While the technical and logistical expenses of accomplishing it contribute to the return on investment, the value of visibility—which is quite important—also plays a significant role. Additionally, this prominence attracts you partners, sponsors, and other people. Obviously, all of this must be really good.

"Rally 4 is the only rule that is guaranteed now. We are aware of its pricing, manufacturing process, and other details. Lancia is returning with a Rally4 for this reason. The only thing we are confident of is the rule; it is obvious, the product is exceptional, and it is intriguing from both a racing and a business perspective.

Lancia could be interested in rejoining the WRC if expenses are reduced and a cost cap is implemented.

The Citroen C3 Rally2 program, which Lancia's owner, the Stellantis Group, already participates in, is another example of Franzetti's admiration for the Rally2 class.

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"Let's try to make championships a little less expensive and with a cap, and then you can do whatever you want, as long as you stay within it," he continued.

"You have to create a championship with a limited amount of money, and then the engineers can let their creativity run wild. Since motorsport is a marketing tool, everyone will contribute what they know how to do as well, and it's a show-case at the end."

We are all heading toward hybrid, electric, and electrified vehicles these days. Everybody there, I think, wants to show that they can accomplish that thing. However, a cost cap would suffice, leaving room for the others.

"The Rally2 is a really intriguing vehicle because it's quick, enables you to win national titles, including the European championship, and enables you to go extremely fast in the WRC.

Since there aren't many Rally1s in the WRC these days, having a Rally2 can help you place in the top 10 or even in the top five, giving you incredible visibility. After then, it's a commercial product that you sell, and the customer is satisfied since the automobile works well, costs a reasonable amount per kilometer, and so on. The Rally2 specification was really astute.