Imagine a historic return to the world of rallying after more than three decades — and that's exactly what Lancia is aiming for with its latest foray into the World Rally Championship (WRC). But here's where it gets interesting: the brand has selected two talented drivers, Yohan Rossel and Nikolay Gryazin, to spearhead its first WRC2 campaign since the early 1990s. This move signals a bold step forward for Lancia, rekindling its rallying traditions with fresh ambition.
The team will compete using the all-new Ypsilon Rally2 HF Integrale, a vehicle designed to showcase Lancia’s legendary engineering and rally heritage. Operating under the banner of Team Lancia Corse HF, the team’s efforts will be managed by PH Sport, a respected rally team with extensive experience in the sport’s competitive machinery.
Both Rossel and Gryazin will kick off their rallying journey with the iconic season-opening Monte Carlo Rally — an event that Rossel has dominantly won in the WRC2 category for three consecutive years. Interestingly, these two drivers have previously teamed up as teammates at DG Sport, driving Citroën C3 Rally2s during the 2024 season, which gives them a solid foundation of teamwork and shared experience for this new chapter.
At the helm of their effort is Didier Clément, serving as team principal. He confidently describes Rossel and Gryazin as drivers "capable of fighting for victory at every race," underscoring the team’s ambitious outlook.
Yohan Rossel shared his excitement about joining Lancia, explaining, “Discovering Lancia’s incredible heritage and hearing Miki Biasion compare the brand to Ferrari immediately highlights its legendary status. I’m immensely proud to be part of this story, and I’m approaching this opportunity with the same passion I had at the start of my career. This fresh chapter offers a real boost to my professional journey — a new manufacturer, big ambitions, and the drive to achieve even more with this project… including winning.”
Similarly, Nikolay Gryazin expressed his pride and enthusiasm, stating, “Joining Team Lancia Corse HF as an official driver for 2026 is a huge honor. Lancia’s iconic history in rallying is well-known, and I feel privileged to contribute to its revival. Our shared goals are clear: to be at the forefront of the competition, to improve constantly day by day, and to restore the legendary name to its rightful place in rallying history. From the first test to the final stage of the season, I am motivated and committed. I want to thank the team, my partners, and all the fans for their ongoing support.”
Lancia has already received substantial interest, with more than 40 Ypsilon Rally2 HF Integrale units reportedly pre-ordered to participate in various international and national rally championships. This eager reception signals the brand’s determination to make a significant return to competitive rallying, blending its prestigious past with an ambitious push toward future victories.
And this is the part most people might overlook: does this historic return really have what it takes to compete at the top levels once again? Or is it a nostalgic gesture that might struggle to keep pace with more established manufacturers? What’s your opinion — is Lancia set to surprise everyone, or is this simply a romantic resurgence that may fall short? Drop your thoughts below and let’s discuss!
