At a joint launch event in Salzburg, Toyota, Hyundai and M-Sport-Ford presented their Rally1 cars for the 2022 World Rally Championship
Less than a week before the start of the 50th season of the World Rally Championship (WRC) at the Rally Monte-Carlo (20-23 January), the three manufacturers Toyota, Hyundai and M-Sport-Ford have presented their new Rally1 cars at an event in Hangar 7 at Salzburg Airport.
In the presence of FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, the final versions of the new cars were unveiled, which for the first time in WRC history feature a hybrid powertrain with an additional 100 kilowatts (136 hp) of electric power.
Toyota, the defending champions, will be using the black, white and red colour scheme familiar from previous years for the GR Yaris. What is more striking about the Toyota than the other models is how clearly the aerodynamics have been trimmed in the area of the rear.
Distinctive features of the Yaris are the vertical exterior mirrors and an air intake on the rear wing. Elfyn Evans and Kalle Rovanperä will compete in all 13 scheduled WRC rounds for the Japanese manufacturer’s factory team this year. A third car will be shared by reigning world champion Sebastien Ogier and Esapekka Lappi. A fourth Yaris will be entered for rookie Takamoto Katsuta.
Hyundai had already virtually unveiled the i20 N this week, in Salzburg the new car saw the light of day in the flesh for the first time. Like Toyota, Hyundai has opted for continuity in the paintwork, and in other respects the differences between the new Hyundai and last year’s car are the least obvious.
Just like Toyota, Hyundai will operate with two regular drivers and two alternating drivers. With Thierry Neuville and Ott Tänak contesting the entire 2022 WRC season, young Oliver Solberg and veteran Dani Sordo will alternate in the third car.
M-Sport is the only one of the three manufacturers to bring a new car model to the start. The Ford Puma replaces the Fiesta. M-Sport had already shown the car for the first time in the summer of 2021, and in Salzburg the team presented the new car for the first time in its final livery with sponsor Red Bull.
M-Sport will field four cars at the Rally Monte-Carlo. The line-up is led by WRC record champion Sebastien Loeb, who is returning to the World Rally Championship after one and a half years.
Also nominated for the manufacturers’ classification at the season opener are Craig Breen and Adrien Fourmaux, who is also set for the full season. Driving the fourth M-Sport Puma will be Gus Greensmith.
“Today’s start to the new Rally1 era is a very proud and significant moment for the FIA and the entire rally family, and I would like to congratulate the WRC promoter on a great show at the start of the championship’s 50th anniversary season,” said FIA President Ben Sulayem.
“In addition to hybrid technology adding a new dynamic level of performance combined with safety improvements, Rally1 cars will use 100 per cent sustainable fuel and work is also underway to achieve greater sustainability in the organisation of each round of the series,” Ben Sulayem continued. “I am looking forward to an exciting season!”
