2018 World Rally Championship: Difference between revisions
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Privateers entering 2017-specification World Rally Cars are permitted to enter their cars under their own team names.<ref name="privateer rules">{{cite news|url=http://www.wrc.com/en/wrc/news/december-2017/world-council/page/5058--12-12-.html|title=Privateer rules boost|work=[[World Rally Championship|wrc.com]]|publisher=[[World Rally Championship|WRC Promoter GmbH]]|date=7 December 2017|accessdate=8 December 2017}}</ref> In 2017, privateers competing in current-specification cars had to have their entries submitted by a manufacturer. |
Privateers entering 2017-specification World Rally Cars are permitted to enter their cars under their own team names.<ref name="privateer rules">{{cite news|url=http://www.wrc.com/en/wrc/news/december-2017/world-council/page/5058--12-12-.html|title=Privateer rules boost|work=[[World Rally Championship|wrc.com]]|publisher=[[World Rally Championship|WRC Promoter GmbH]]|date=7 December 2017|accessdate=8 December 2017}}</ref> In 2017, privateers competing in current-specification cars had to have their entries submitted by a manufacturer. |
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The [[World Rally Championship support categories|WRC Trophy]] will no longer be open to privateers entering World Rally Cars older than 2017-specification models.<ref name="privateer rules"/> |
The [[World Rally Championship support categories#WRC Trophy|WRC Trophy]] will no longer be open to privateers entering World Rally Cars older than 2017-specification models.<ref name="privateer rules"/> |
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==Results and standings== |
==Results and standings== |
Revision as of 17:15, 29 January 2018
World Rally Championship |
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Current season |
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Current car classes |
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The 2018 FIA World Rally Championship is the 46th season of the World Rally Championship, an auto racing championship recognised by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) as the highest class of international rallying. Teams and crews are competing in thirteen events—starting with the Monte Carlo Rally in January and finishing with Rally Australia in November—for the World Rally Championships for Drivers, Co-drivers and Manufacturers. Crews are free to compete in cars complying with World Rally Car and Group R regulations; however, only Manufacturers competing with 2017-specification World Rally Cars are eligible to score points in the Manufacturers' championship. The series is once again supported by the World Rally Championship-2 and World Rally Championship-3 categories at every round and by the Junior World Rally Championship at selected rounds.
Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia started the season as the defending drivers' and co-drivers' champions after securing their fifth consecutive World Championship titles at the 73rd Wales Rally GB.[1] M-Sport, the team they drove for in 2017, are the defending manufacturers' champions.[1]
Calendar
The championship is being contested over thirteen rounds in Europe, North and South America and Australia.[2]
Round | Dates | Rally name | Rally headquarters | Rally details | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Start | Finish | Surface | Stages | Distance | |||
1 | 25 January | 28 January | ![]() |
Gap, Hautes-Alpes | Mixed | 17 | 394.74 km |
2 | 15 February | 18 February | ![]() |
Torsby, Värmland | Snow | 19 | 314.51 km |
3 | 8 March | 11 March | ![]() |
León, Guanajuato | Gravel | 22 | 345.60 km |
4 | 5 April | 8 April | ![]() |
Bastia, Haute-Corse | Tarmac | 12 | 334.02 km |
5 | 26 April | 29 April | ![]() |
Villa Carlos Paz, Córdoba | Gravel | 18 | 360.61 km |
6 | 17 May | 20 May | ![]() |
Matosinhos, Porto | Gravel | 20 | 357.75 km |
7 | 7 June | 10 June | ![]() |
Alghero, Sardinia | Gravel | TBA | TBA |
8 | 26 July | 29 July | ![]() |
Jyväskylä, Keski-Suomi | Gravel | TBA | TBA |
9 | 16 August | 19 August | ![]() |
Bostalsee, Saarland | Tarmac | TBA | TBA |
10 | 13 September | 16 September | ![]() |
Marmaris, Muğla | Gravel | TBA | TBA |
11 | 4 October | 7 October | ![]() |
Deeside, Flintshire | Gravel | TBA | TBA |
12 | 25 October | 28 October | ![]() |
Salou, Tarragona | Mixed | TBA | TBA |
13 | 15 November | 18 November | ![]() |
Coffs Harbour, New South Wales | Gravel | TBA | TBA |
Source:[2][3][4][5][6][7] |
Calendar changes
The Rally of Poland was removed from the calendar after the FIA repeatedly raised concerns about the event's safety.[8] The FIA had previously ordered a review of the event's safety standards ahead of the 2017 event, threatening to rescind the rally's World Championship status if conditions were not improved.[9] The event was replaced by the Rally of Turkey, which returned to the calendar for the first time since 2010.[2] The event, which was previously based in Istanbul, will return to south-western Turkey. It will be based in the coastal resort town of Marmaris in Muğla Province,[10] with the proposed route running along the Mediterranean coastline.[11]
The rallies of Great Britain and Catalunya swapped places on the schedule, with Rally Catalunya becoming the penultimate round of the championship.[2] Rallye Deutschland relocated to a new headquarters with the service park located at the Bostalsee reservoir in Saarland state.[7]
Route changes
Rallye Monte Carlo will feature a heavily-revised route from the 2017 event, with half the route being brand-new.[5] After starting in Mexico City in 2017, Rally Mexico will return to its traditional start in Guanajuato. The route will feature minor changes and includes a new Power Stage.[6]
Entries
The following teams and crews are entered in the 2018 FIA World Rally Championship.
Manufacturer | Entrant | Car | Tyre | No. | Driver name | Co-driver name | Rounds |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ford | ![]() |
Ford Fiesta WRC | M | 1 | ![]() |
![]() |
1–2 |
2 | ![]() |
![]() |
1–2 | ||||
3 | ![]() |
![]() |
1 | ||||
![]() |
![]() |
2 | |||||
Hyundai | ![]() |
Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC | M | 4 | ![]() |
![]() |
1–2 |
5 | ![]() |
![]() |
1–2 | ||||
6 | ![]() |
![]() |
1 | ||||
![]() |
![]() |
2 | |||||
Toyota | ![]() |
Toyota Yaris WRC | M | 7 | ![]() |
![]() |
1–2 |
8 | ![]() |
![]() |
1–2 | ||||
9 | ![]() |
![]() |
1–2 | ||||
Citroën | ![]() |
Citroën C3 WRC | M | 10 | ![]() |
![]() |
1–2 |
11 | ![]() |
![]() |
1–2 | ||||
![]() |
![]() |
TBA | |||||
12 | ![]() |
![]() |
2 | ||||
TBA | ![]() |
![]() |
TBA | ||||
Source:[15][16][17][18] |
Manufacturer | Entrant | Car | Tyre | No. | Driver name | Co-driver name | Rounds |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ford | ![]() |
Ford Fiesta WRC | TBA | 14 | ![]() |
![]() |
2 |
![]() |
M | 37 | ![]() |
![]() |
2 | ||
![]() |
Ford Fiesta RS WRC | D | 18 | ![]() |
![]() |
1 | |
![]() |
M | 21 | ![]() |
![]() |
2 | ||
Source:[16][18] |
Team changes
Citroën reduced its commitment to two full-time entries, with a third car entered at selected events.[13] At the same time, the C3 WRC made available to privateer entrants. The cars will be leased to drivers but their operation will be run by Citroën Racing's sister team PH Sport, allowing Citroën to retain control over the cars.[19]
Ford increased its factory support for M-Sport's programme, with the team officially known as "M-Sport Ford World Rally Team".[20] Their support will include engine, chassis and aerodynamic development.[21] Ford will be recognised as the manufacturer entry, marking the company's return to the sport for the first time since 2012.[22][23] Ford's support extends to M-Sport's World Rally Championship-2 programme.[16]
Tyre supplier DMACK scaled back its involvement in the championship from full-time competition to supporting World Rally Championship-2 entries.[24] The company had previously supported its own eponymous team before becoming a supplier to and sponsor of M-Sport's third entry in 2017.
Crew changes

Nine-time World Champions Sébastien Loeb and Daniel Elena will return to the World Rally Championship with Citroën.[12][13] They will contest selected rounds of the championship, allowing Loeb to compete in the Dakar Rally and the World Rallycross Championship.[25] Loeb had previously been enlisted by the team to assist with development of the C3 WRC, particularly on loose surfaces, after Citroën endured a difficult championship campaign in 2017. With Citroën scaling back its commitment to two full-time entries, Stéphane Lefebvre left the championship to contest the World Rally Championship-2 in an R5 variant of the C3 WRC.[13] Mads Østberg left Jipocar World Rally Team and moved to Citroën, signing a one-event agreement with the team to drive their third, part-time entry. He retained ownership of the Ford Fiesta WRC that he competed with in 2017 through the Adapta World Rally Team, entering it separately to his own entry with Citroën.[26]
Andreas Mikkelsen and Anders Jæger returned to full-time competition with Hyundai Motorsport.[27][28] Mikkelsen and Jæger, who were left without a seat at the end of 2016 following Volkswagen Motorsport's withdrawal from the sport, contested selected rounds of the 2017 championship for Citroën and Hyundai before joining the team for 2018. Hyundai chose to split their third car between Hayden Paddon and Dani Sordo.[29] The team will enter four i20 Coupe WRCs in the Rally de Portugal to ensure that both Paddon and Sordo contest seven rounds of the championship each. Sordo also changed co-drivers, ending his four-year partnership with Marc Martí. He instead reunited with Carlos del Barrio,[30] who previously drove with Sordo in 2013.
Ott Tänak and Martin Järveoja left M-Sport to join Toyota, where they replaced Juho Hänninen and Kaj Lindström.[31] Hänninen and Lindström remained with the team, with Hänninen taking on a test driver role and Lindström joining the team's management. Following the departure of Tänak and Järveoja, M-Sport promoted Teemu Suninen and Mikko Markkula from their World Rally Championship-2 team. Suninen and Markkula will share the car with Bryan Bouffier, who will contest Rallye Monte Carlo and the Tour de Corse. Bouffier was hired for his specialist knowledge of the events.[32]
Rule changes
Sporting regulations
The FIA took responsibility for the placement of artificial chicanes in stages, with regulations dictating their placement, width and frequency of use.[33] The changes were introduced following the 67th Rally Finland where event organisers placed chicanes that were criticised by drivers for being too narrow, poorly-positioned and potentially dangerous.[34]
Privateers entering 2017-specification World Rally Cars are permitted to enter their cars under their own team names.[35] In 2017, privateers competing in current-specification cars had to have their entries submitted by a manufacturer.
The WRC Trophy will no longer be open to privateers entering World Rally Cars older than 2017-specification models.[35]
Results and standings
Season summary
Round | Event | Winning driver | Winning co-driver | Winning entrant | Winning time | Report |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() |
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![]() |
4:18:55.5 | Report |
2 | ![]() |
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Report | |
3 | ![]() |
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Report | |
4 | ![]() |
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Report | |
5 | ![]() |
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Report | |
6 | ![]() |
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Report | |
7 | ![]() |
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Report | |
8 | ![]() |
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Report | |
9 | ![]() |
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Report | |
10 | ![]() |
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Report | |
11 | ![]() |
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Report | |
12 | ![]() |
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Report | |
13 | ![]() |
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Report |
Scoring system
Points are awarded to the top ten classified finishers. In the manufacturers' championship, points are only awarded to the top two classified finishers representing a manufacturer and driving a 2017-specification World Rally Car. There are also five bonus points awarded to the winners of the Power Stage, four points for second place, three for third, two for fourth and one for fifth. Power Stage points are only awarded in the drivers' and co-drivers' championships.
Position | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th | 9th | 10th |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Points | 25 | 18 | 15 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
FIA World Rally Championship for Drivers
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Notes: |
FIA World Rally Championship for Co-Drivers
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Notes: |
FIA World Rally Championship for Manufacturers
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References
- ^ a b Beer, Matt (29 October 2017). "Rally GB: Ogier seals title as dominant Evans claims first win". autosport.com. Motorsport Network. Retrieved 30 October 2017.
- ^ a b c d "Rally Aus retains WRC finale in 2018". speedcafe.com. 22 September 2017. Retrieved 23 September 2017.
- ^ "2018 calendar revealed". wrc.com. WRC Promoter GmbH. Retrieved 3 January 2018.
- ^ "Rally Calendar Overview". wrc.com. WRC Promoter GmbH. Retrieved 3 January 2018.
- ^ a b "86è Rallye Automobile Monte-Carlo 2018" (PDF). acm.mc (in French). Automobile Club de Monaco. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
- ^ a b "Mexico route confirmed". wrc.com. WRC Promoter GmbH. Retrieved 22 December 2017.
- ^ a b "Germany". wrc.com. WRC Promoter GmbH. Retrieved 26 December 2017.
- ^ Evans, David (7 August 2017). "Turkey and Croatia set for 2018 World Rally Championship calendar". autosport.com. Motorsport Network. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
- ^ Evans, David (30 June 2016). "Rally Poland under pressure to prove safety to ensure WRC future". autosport.com. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
- ^ "Rally Catalunya preview". 2017 World Rally Championship season. September 2017. WRC Promoter GmbH.
- ^ Evans, David (4 November 2017). "WRC 2018: Teams back Turkey's return after candidate event success". autosport.com. Motorsport Network. Retrieved 5 November 2017.
- ^ a b Evans, David (20 December 2017). "Sebastien Loeb gets part-time Citroen World Rally Championship deal". autosport.com. Motorsport Network. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
- ^ a b c d "Loeb part-time WRC comeback confirmed". Speedcafe. 21 December 2017. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
- ^ Evans, David (22 November 2017). "Citroen couldn't match other offers to secure Ogier for WRC 2018". autosport.com. Motorsport Network. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
- ^ "Ford returns as official WRC manufacturer". Speedcafe. 23 December 2017. Retrieved 24 December 2017.
The other 2018 manufacturers are unchanged with the M-Sport Ford World Rally Team up against Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT and Citroën Total Abu Dhabi WRT.
- ^ a b c "Rallye Monte-Carlo Entry List" (PDF). acm.mc. Automobile Club de Monaco. 12 January 2018. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
- ^ "WRC: Neuville leads first shakedown of 2018". eurosport.com. Eurosport. 24 January 2018. Retrieved 25 January 2018.
- ^ a b "Rally Sweden Entry List". rallysweden.com. Rally Sweden. 20 January 2018. Retrieved 20 January 2018.
- ^ Evans, David (1 December 2017). "First 2017 Citroen C3 World Rally Car offered to privateers". autosport.com. Motorsport Network. Retrieved 1 December 2017.
- ^ "Ford Returns to WRC Entry List". wrc.com. WRC Promoter GmbH. 22 December 2017. Retrieved 22 December 2017.
- ^ "Ford: Support of M-Sport in WRC will be 'up another level' for 2018". autosport.com. Motorsport Network. 11 January 2018. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
- ^ "Ford returns as official WRC manufacturer". Speedcafe. 23 December 2017. Retrieved 24 December 2017.
- ^ Evans, David (23 December 2017). "Ford name returns to WRC as part of greater M-Sport support". autosport.com. Motorsport Network. Retrieved 24 December 2017.
- ^ Evans, David (15 November 2017). "DMACK to step back from full-time WRC programme in 2018". autosport.com. Motorsport Network. Retrieved 15 November 2017.
- ^ Evans, David (22 November 2017). "Sebastien Loeb's 2018 WRC return likely to begin with Rally Mexico". autosport.com. Motorsport Network. Retrieved 23 November 2017.
- ^ "Ostberg could keep Ford as Citroen backup". Speedcafe. 17 January 2018. Retrieved 17 January 2018.
Adapta will still enter Ostberg's Ford in Sweden while he is with Citroen. Two drivers are in contention for that drive, with WRC veteran Henning Solberg one of them.
- ^ Beer, Matt (28 September 2017). "Hyundai signs Andreas Mikkelsen for 2018-19 WRC seasons". autosport.com. Motorsport Network. Retrieved 28 September 2017.
- ^ Herrero, Dan (28 September 2017). "Hyundai confirms full-time Mikkelsen drive". speedcafe.com. Retrieved 4 October 2017.
- ^ "Paddon 2018 WRC program finalised". Speedcafe. 12 January 2018. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
- ^ "Carlos del Barrio profile". motorsport.hyundai.com. Hyundai Motorsport. Retrieved 26 December 2017.
- ^ Evans, David (18 October 2017). "Toyota signs Ott Tanak from M-Sport for 2018 WRC season". autosport.com. Motorsport Network. Retrieved 18 October 2017.
- ^ Evans, David (8 January 2018). "M-Sport gives Monte Carlo Rally winner Bouffier two '18 WRC outings". autosport.com. Motorsport Network. Retrieved 9 January 2018.
- ^ Evans, David (4 August 2017). "FIA to take control of WRC chicane rules after Rally Finland row". autosport.com. Motorsport Network. Retrieved 5 August 2017.
- ^ "Drivers slam 'stupid' Rally Finland chicanes". speedcafe.com. 28 July 2017. Retrieved 5 August 2017.
- ^ a b "Privateer rules boost". wrc.com. WRC Promoter GmbH. 7 December 2017. Retrieved 8 December 2017.