WRC2
Crowned Virves heads heavyweight WRC2 field into Sardinia finale
Newly crowned WRC2 champion Robert Virves* faces a formidable line-up of rivals as Rally Italia Sardegna (1 - 4 October) brings the 2026 season to a close.
The championship may already be decided, but there will be no shortage of competition when the WRC2 field tackles Sardinia's demanding gravel roads this week.
Virves arrives in Alghero as the newly crowned FIA WRC2 champion after the cancellation of the Saudi Arabian WRC round and subsequent adjustment to the championship's counted-score system put the Estonian beyond the reach of his remaining rivals.
Four victories in Kenya, Greece, Estonia and Finland, followed by second place in Chile, have underpinned an outstanding campaign for the Toksport WRT driver, who will be looking to round off his season with a fifth victory aboard his Škoda Fabia RS Rally2.
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However, with a field featuring former champions and proven rally winners, there is little prospect of an easy finish.
Among his closest challengers are Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 drivers Roope Korhonen and Teemu Suninen, who remain firmly in contention for the championship runner-up position.
Korhonen has been one of Virves' closest rivals throughout the campaign, while Suninen arrives in Sardinia having recently secured the FIA European Rally Championship title. The former Rally1 driver has also enjoyed a consistent WRC2 campaign, recording victory in Portugal and three runner-up finishes.
The pair begin the finale third and fourth in the standings respectively, behind the absent Yohan Rossel, with both capable of moving into second place.
Virves will also face competition from within the Toksport camp. 2022 title winner Emil Lindholm is entered in Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 machinery.
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Home interest centres on Roberto Daprà, who returns to the scene of his breakthrough WRC2 victory 12 months ago. The Italian claimed his maiden category win in Sardinia last June and will again be partnered by Luca Guglielmetti in an ACI Team Italia-supported Škoda.
Fellow Italian Giovanni Trentin adds further strength to the Škoda contingent, while Gus Greensmith arrives with renewed momentum after podium finishes in both Paraguay and Chile. The Briton will compete in a Toyota GR Yaris Rally2, alongside experienced Polish driver Kajetan Kajetanowicz.
Lancia will also be represented on home soil, having already secured the WRC2 Teams' Championship in its first season back in the category.
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Léo Rossel, winner of the season-opening Rallye Monte-Carlo, leads the Ypsilon Rally2 HF Integrale challenge alongside fellow entrants Pablo Sarrazin and Conner Martell.
Another name attracting attention is Matteo Fontana. Having secured back-to-back WRC3 titles, the Italian steps up to WRC2 for the first time, making his Rally2 debut in a Toyota GR Yaris alongside Alessandro Arnaboldi.
The crews face 17 stages covering 307.02 competitive kilometres, with more than 40 per cent of the route new compared with last year. Sardinia's narrow, abrasive roads traditionally place a premium on tyre management and reliability, while the event's October slot could introduce more unpredictable weather conditions.
*Subject to confirmation by the FIA
