After a 34-year absence from the winner’s circle, Lancia has secured a victory in the World Rally Championship (WRC). The win at Rally Croatia marks a significant milestone for a brand that once dominated the sport but had largely faded from the competitive spotlight since its official departure in 1992.
A Dominant Performance in WRC2
While Lancia is not currently competing in the premier flagship class, its comeback via the WRC2 category has been nothing short of impressive. The victory was secured by the duo of Yohan Rossel and Arnaud Dunand, driving the Lancia Ypsilon.
The performance was characterized by sheer dominance across the event’s stages:
– Stage Wins: The Rossel/Dunand pairing claimed six stage wins.
– Overall Dominance: Out of the 20 stages held during the rally, Lancia vehicles took top honors in 13 of them.
– Team Depth: The second Lancia entry, driven by Nikolay Gryazin and Konstantin Aleksandrov, secured a third-place finish with seven stage wins of their own.
This success has immediate implications for the championship standings. The Lancia Corse HF team now leads the WRC2 Teams’ standings with 84 points. Individually, Yohan Rossel has climbed to third in the Drivers’ Championship, while Gryazin sits in fifth.
The Engineering Behind the Comeback
Lancia’s return to the WRC is built around a vehicle inspired by the latest generation of the Ypsilon. To comply with current technical regulations, the rally-spec Ypsilon is equipped with:
– A 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine.
– A four-wheel-drive system.
– A five-speed sequential transmission.
This technical setup has proven highly effective in adapting to the varying demands of the Croatian stages. Reflecting on the win, Yohan Rossel noted that after a challenging start in Monte Carlo, the team found the perfect balance in Croatia, citing flawless tire choices and car setup as the keys to staying in control.
Why This Matters for Lancia
For many motorsport enthusiasts, Lancia represents a “golden era” of rallying, holding a record 10 WRC manufacturers’ titles. After decades of inactivity, this victory serves as more than just a single race win; it is a proof of concept for the brand’s renewed technical relevance. By finding success in the WRC2 category, Lancia is rebuilding its competitive DNA and re-establishing its presence in the global rally community.
“We knew that Lancia’s ambition this year was to come back strongly in the WRC… in Croatia, at this second round, everything was perfect.” — Yohan Rossel
Lancia’s victory in Croatia signals a successful rebirth for the brand, proving that even after three decades away, they can still command the podium and lead the championship standings.
