WRC
Project Rally One breaks cover as WRC27 programme gathers pace
Project Rally One has publicly unveiled its new WRC27 car for the first time, marking another major step towards its planned FIA World Rally Championship debut in 2027.
The Belgian-led project revealed the car on Friday at the Rally4Passion event in Huy, Belgium, following the completion of its first asphalt testing programme.
Led by motorsport engineer Lionel Hansen, Project Rally One is the first privately led constructor project to have emerged under the WRC27 regulations, which from next season open the championship’s top category to independent tuners as well as traditional manufacturers.
The all-black car has already completed five days and approximately 750 kilometres of asphalt running, with former WRC event winner Bruno Thiry and Stéphane Lefebvre carrying out the initial development work.
Hansen said the programme had completed that running without a reliability issue and remained on schedule for FIA homologation on 1 November.
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“Once homologation has been completed, we will continue with further test sessions, again on asphalt next week, before moving onto gravel in October,” he explained.
“This means we are on schedule, and our objective remains to enter two Rally One cars on the 2027 Rallye Monte-Carlo.
“It is a demanding challenge, but it remains a realistic one. There is still a lot to happen between now and then.”
WRC Promoter's Chief Operating Officer Julien Vial welcomed the latest milestone, highlighting Project Rally One as an example of the opportunities created by the championship’s incoming technical era.
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“Project Rally One is an exciting example of the ambition that WRC is attracting as the championship continues to evolve,” he said.
“What is particularly impressive is seeing something created effectively from a blank sheet – bringing together the technical programme, the people, the partners and a new identity. Getting a project like this from an idea to a physical car requires significant commitment, investment and belief from everyone involved.
“For us, this is about more than simply having another car on the stages. We want WRC to continue to be an attractive environment for established manufacturers and teams, but also for ambitious newcomers that can bring fresh ideas, new stories and new opportunities for brands and partners. Project Rally One is a very tangible example of that.”
FIA Chief Technical and Safety Officer Xavier Mestelan Pinon described the public unveiling as an important milestone for the WRC27 project, with homologation now the next major technical target.
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Development will meanwhile continue in the coming weeks. Teemu Suninen is set to take over driving duties when the testing programme switches to gravel in October.
Under the bonnet, the car uses a VAG Group-badged engine related to the unit found in the Škoda Fabia RS Rally2, extensively modified to meet the requirements of the WRC27 regulations. Its bespoke bodywork has been developed and constructed by Paris-based Faster Racing.
The operation behind the car is also expanding, with 21 full-time staff now working on the programme and experienced rally figure Alain Penasse installed as Sporting Director.
No drivers have yet been confirmed for the proposed Monte-Carlo entries, although Penasse said discussions are already under way as the project races towards its intended WRC debut.
