After a dominant 2022 campaign to become the youngest-ever world champion, Toyota’s Kalle Rovanpera will aim to become only the sixth driver to successful defend the championship crown.
A combination all fresh driver line-ups, revised Rally1 cars and a new calendar promises an intense fight for the 2023 title.
One of the wildest silly seasons has resulted in all three Rally1 teams heading into 2023 with changes to their driver rosters.
M-Sport Ford - Ford Puma Rally1
Drivers: #8 Ott Tanak/Martin Jarveoja, #7 Pierre-Louis Loubet/Nicolas Gilsoul, #9 Jourdan Serderidis/Frederic Miclotte (Monte Carlo, Mexico, Sardinia and Kenya)
The driver merry-go-round was triggered by 2019 world champion Ott Tanak leaving Hyundai with a year remaining on his contract. The Estonian has secured a return to M-Sport, where he began his WRC career in 2011, and will lead an all-new two car full-time driver roster.
French rising star Pierre-Louis Loubet will fill the second seat after impressing during a seven-round campaign for M-Sport last season. The 25-year-old will team up with Thierry Neuville’s former co-driver Nicolas Gilsoul. A third Puma will be driven on selected events, with privateer Jourdan Serderdis locked in for Monte Carlo, Mexico, Sardinia and Kenya.
M-Sport is still hopeful of securing nine-time world champion Sebastien Loeb for selected rounds this year after scoring a win in Monte Carlo last year as part of a four-round programme.
Hyundai Motorsport - Hyundai i20 N Rally1
Drivers: #11 Thierry Neuville/Martijn Wydaeghe, #4 Esapekka Lappi/Janne Ferm, #6 Dani Sordo/Candido Carrera (sharing third car), #42 Craig Breen/James Fulton (sharing third car)
Hyundai has filled the void left by Tanak by signing one-time WRC rally winner Esapekka Lappi from Toyota, where he was sharing the third GR Yaris with Sebastien Ogier in 2022. The deal will see Lappi return to a full-time top flight WRC drive since a season at M-Sport in 2020.
Craig Breen was also vying for the seat, having exited M-Sport one year into a two-year deal following a dismal 2022 campaign. But the Irishman has secured a deal to share the third i20 N alongside the experienced Dani Sordo, effectively replacing Oliver Solberg following his departure from the team. Hyundai stalwart Thierry Neuville will continue to lead the squad.
Toyota Gazoo Racing - Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
Drivers: #69 Kalle Rovanpera/Jonne Halttunen, #33 Elfyn Evans/Scott Martin, #17 Sebastien Ogier/Vincent Landais, #18 Takamoto Katsuta/Aaron Johnston
At reigning champions Toyota, Lappi’s surprise departure prompted a promotion for Takamoto Katsuta. He will now share the third GR Yaris with eight-time world champion Ogier, who will run a second partial campaign.
Katsuta will drive a fourth GR Yaris at rounds where Ogier is driving the third car. The latter will compete with new co-driver Vincent Landais, a pairing which debuted at the 2022 Rally Japan season finale. World champion Kalle Rovanpera and Elfyn Evans complete the line-up.
#69 Kalle Rovanpera/Jonne Halttunen - Toyota Gazoo Racing - GR Yaris Rally1
#33 Elfyn Evans/Scott Martin - Toyota Gazoo Racing - GR Yaris Rally1
#17 Sebastien Ogier/Vincent Landais - Toyota Gazoo Racing - GR Yaris Rally1 **
#18 Takamoto Katsuta/Aaron Johnston - Toyota Gazoo Racing - GR Yaris Rally1**
#11 Thierry Neuville/Martijn Wydaeghe - Hyundai Motorsport - i20 N Rally1
#4 Esapekka Lappi/Janne Ferm - Hyundai Motorsport - i20 N Rally1
#6 Dani Sordo/ Candido Carrera - Hyundai Motorsport - i20 N Rally1*
#42 Craig Breen/James Fulton - Hyundai Motorsport - i20 N Rally1*
#8 Ott Tanak/Martin Jarveoja - M-Sport Ford World Rally Team - Puma Rally1
#7 Pierre-Louis Loubet/Nicolas Gilsoul - M-Sport Ford World Rally Team - Puma Rally1
#9 Jourdan Serderidis/Frederic Miclotte - M-Sport Ford World Rally Team - Puma Rally1 ***
#37 Lorenzo Bertelli/ Simone Scattolin - Toyota Gazoo Racing - GR Yaris Rally1 ****
* Sharing the third car
** Sharing the third car when Ogier is absent
*** Contesting Monte Carlo, Mexico, Sardinia and Kenya
**** Rented a Toyota for Rally Sweden
Hyundai has appointed former Renault Formula 1 boss Cyril Abiteboul as its new team principal of its WRC and customer racing programmes.
Abiteboul will effectively replace Julien Moncet, who was the team’s de-facto leader in 2022 following the departure of long-time team principal Andrea Adamo at the end of 2021.
PLUS: From F1 to WRC: Why Hyundai's new boss could be an inspired signing
This will be the Frenchman’s first foray into rallying having spent the majority of his career working in Formula 1 having led Caterham (2012-2014) and Renault up until its rebrand to Alpine in 2021.
“I don’t think anyone would be surprised to learn that we are targeting both championship titles in WRC,” said Abiteboul.
“The team has previously won the manufacturers’ crown twice, but never the drivers’ title. Both tell a different story, yet they are equally important.
“The team won five rallies last year, and the goal is to improve on that. Again, I am taking that with humility; I can’t say how many we will win this season as I am still new to the world of rally. First I need to understand the lay of the land, and then determine the contribution I can make.”
WRC teams have spent the off-season refining Rally1 machines ahead of a second year with the new hybrid rules.
Reigning champions Toyota have not stood still. The pronounced air boxes that adorned the flanks of the car to cool the hybrid unit have been replaced with a much smoother more aerodynamic design, as it was found the 2022 design overestimated the amount of cooling required for the hybrid unit. This has resulted in a re-design of the rear fenders and arches. The rear wing has also been tweaked to compensate for the new aero package.
In addition to the the aero changes, Toyota has elected to upgrade its 1.6 litre engine to improve the delivery of power and its torque.
Hyundai has also revealed noticeable aerodynamic changes to its i20 N. The 2023 car features updated bodywork to the front and rear of the car. The bonnet has been flattened and extended, while the front arches have also been modified. The team has also opted for a heavily revised rear wing and wing mirrors.
The new-look extended front end has turned the nose of the car into effectively an extra splitter. At the rear, a new rear wing has been designed with last year’s central wing and end plate option transformed into one continuous wing covering the maximum width of the car.
Meanwhile, M-Sport has unveiled a bold new look for its Puma Rally1 with an electric blue and pink livery, replacing its popular purple colours from last season. While the car looks similar to its 2022 model, the team plans to continue its development during the season.
Drivers will have the use of hybrid power during every stage, with power boosts activated by the throttle pedal, while further boosts will be unlocked through energy regeneration under braking during stages.
Pilots will be required to regenerate 30 kilojoules of energy before another boost is granted that will be used the next time they touch the throttle pedal. The extra 130 horsepower is delivered through the use of three bespoke homologated engine maps selected by teams, depending on the type of stage and conditions.
Determined by the FIA and event organisers, drivers will be required to navigate parts of road sections and around event service parks in full electric mode.
In full electric mode the car has a range of 20km, while its 3.9KWH battery, operating up to 750 volts, can be plugged in and recharged in the service park within 30 minutes. The hybrid unit can withstand an impact of 70G.
The cars are powered by a 100% sustainable fuel.