The World Rally Championship is considering re-introducing Rally4 cars into the championship’s framework, after they were dropped in 2022.
Front-wheel-drive has often been seen as a proving ground for young talent. Between 2001 and 2021, the Junior WRC series utilized various front-wheel-drive machines through various guises such as Super 1600, R2, R3 and Rally4.
But the birth of the four-wheel-drive Rally3 car meant Junior WRC pivoted to being an all-wheel-drive series for the first time, meaning there was no official category for front-wheel-drive vehicles in the WRC.
However at the latest meeting of the WRC Commission, held on Wednesday via video conference, the idea of creating a WRC4 championship for Rally4 machines in 2026 was tabled.
Notes issued to the media from the meeting stated: “The selection criteria and available options for the Junior WRC partner from 2026, as well as the possible creation of a WRC4 category in the championship for registered Rally4 cars, will be considered by the Sporting Working Group.”
Junior WRC has become a formula for Rally3 cars since 2022
Currently, Junior WRC is a one-make, spec series operated by M-Sport Poland.
Also discussed in the meeting was the “definition of a framework” to help WRC rally organizers “maintain a better work/rest ratio for crews and all those involved in the championship” from 2026.
Rally Japan was also handed a yellow card for the incident that occurred on stage 12, when a Nissan minivan drove the wrong way down the stage and blocked the start. The FIA will deploy a dedicated taskforce to work with the event and its marshals to improve its safety procedures.
