WRT Rally1 Spain hopes to make its World Rally Championship debut at next year’s Croatia Rally.
The project, a collaboration between RMC Motorsport and the Spanish motorsport federation (RFEDA), was announced on the eve of Rally Islas Canarias back in April, but communication has been tight-lipped since.
However the team has now revealed that it’s looking at Croatia (expected to run in April 2027) as its first WRC event, but unlike RallyOne Project – the other confirmed all-new constructor project for WRC 2027 – it is not focusing on just one surface.
“Our current target is to make our WRC debut in Croatia in 2027,” WRT Rally1 Spain said. “We cannot guarantee that today because the final decision will depend on how the development and testing program progresses, but at the moment we are meeting our planned milestones and Croatia remains our objective.
“From there, our current thinking would take us to Spain and Portugal, followed by the South American WRC events in the second part of the season, potentially with some additional rallies. However, the precise 2027 calendar has not yet been finalized and we are working on that strategy now.
“The priority is not simply to start as early as possible, but to arrive at our first rally with a car that is properly developed, reliable and ready to compete.”
Who will the drivers be?
Given the Spanish ASN is funding this project, it’s a safe assumption that at least one, if not two, Spanish drivers will drive the new car next year.
But the team did not categorically confirm this.
“We are already in contact with several world-class drivers, as well as some very talented young drivers who are extremely motivated and eager to demonstrate their potential,” it said.
“Naturally, this is one of the most closely guarded aspects of the project at the moment. No final announcement has been made and, when the time is right, we will communicate our driver plans.
“Regarding the RMC Motorsport-RFEDA partnership, it is essential in many areas of the project, and of course, one of our shared objectives is to create opportunities for drivers with strong Spanish ties.
“Manuel Aviñó, president of RFEDA, has unconditionally supported the project from the outset, and we share the ambition to position Spain and Spanish motorsport prominently in this new era of the World Rally Championship.
“That does not mean that we have to choose between an established top-level WRC driver and young Spanish talent. They can play different and complementary roles in the project, particularly when we consider development, testing and competition.”
