The WRC has carried out this Saturday the joint presentation of the new hybrid ‘Rally1’ vehicles that will compete in the queen class of the World Rally Championship from 2022. Although Hyundai chose to show the colors of its Hyundai i20 N Rally1 before this event to root out possible leaks, the emblematic Hangar-7 in Salzburg (Austria) has witnessed the start of this new stage of the World Rally Championship with the three ‘Rally1’ of Toyota, Hyundai and M-Sport showing their colors of war for the first time.
Toyota Gazoo Racing enters the hybrid era of the WRC as a rival to beat with a Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 that maintains the color scheme of its predecessor. Accompanying the vehicle with which they will compete in 2022 have been Elfyn Evans, Kalle Rovanperä and Takamoto Katsuta. Frenchman Sébastien Ogier was the only Toyota driver absent from the event, despite being the current World Champion. His status as a part-time pilot and his desire to spend more time with his family have made him not attend the presentation.
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Hyundai Motorsport appeared at this joint presentation as the ‘ugly duckling’, since the South Korean firm had shown its car ahead of time. Thierry Neuville, Ott Tänak, Oliver Solberg and Dani Sordo, the brand’s entire team of drivers, have accompanied the Hyundai i20 N Rally1 at its premiere in society. The Asian manufacturer aims to beat Toyota in the 50th season of the World Rally Championship with a ‘Rally1′ that began to develop later than its rivals’ vehicles.
By last, M-Sport has been a great protagonist of the event, above all because it has been the team that has guarded the final image of its Ford Puma Rally1 with the greatest zeal. And the truth is that it has not disappointed, since the ‘Rally1’ of the Cumbrian formation wears a spectacular livery in which blue and purple tones are mixed. Craig Breen, Gus Greensmith and Adrien Fourmaux have been present along with Malcolm Wilson and Richard Millener at the event, but not Sébastien Loeb, since he is traveling from Saudi Arabia after the end of the Dakar.
Ben Sulayem, president of the FIA, pointed out during the presentation: «Today’s launch of the new era ‘Rally1’ is a significant and proud moment for the FIA and the entire rally family. I would like to congratulate the WRC for putting on a great show in its 50th season. The enthusiasm for the new technical regulation is evident and the momentum of the teams and manufacturers is total. Hybrid technology adds an extra ingredient while working towards greater sustainability. I look forward to an exciting season».