The 2026 FIA World Rally Championship officially roared into life against the glamorous backdrop of Monaco Harbour, as teams and drivers gathered in Monte Carlo for the traditional season launch ahead of Rallye Monte-Carlo. With Rally1 cars lined up in their fresh 2026 liveries and the world’s best rally crews back in the spotlight, the championship is set for another spectacular year of snow, ice, tarmac and flat-out gravel.
The launch event brought together the entire WRC paddock in true Monaco style, underlining the sport’s global prestige and setting the tone for an action-packed season that begins on the legendary Alpine stages of Monte-Carlo.
Finnish ambition on the global stage
For Finnish rally fans, 2026 comes with extra excitement. The competition at the top is intense, but Finland’s next generation is stepping up with real momentum — and the goal is clear: fight at the very front (P1) across the season.
One of Finland’s brightest talents, Sami Pajari, continues his Rally1 journey with Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT, carrying the pride of Finnish rallying into the premier class. After showing impressive pace and maturity, Pajari enters 2026 determined to push consistently for top positions and play a key role in Toyota’s championship fight.
Esapekka Lappi adds Finnish firepower with Hyundai
Adding even more Finnish strength to the Rally1 field, Esapekka Lappi will be back in action with Hyundai Motorsport in 2026. While Lappi is not scheduled to contest the full season, he is expected to drive a strong selection of events, bringing proven speed, experience and outright winning potential whenever he lines up.
Lappi’s presence ensures Finnish fans will have even more to cheer for throughout the year — and with his ability to deliver front-running performances on the right rallies, he remains a serious threat for stage wins and podiums whenever he’s on the entry list.
From Alpine ice to Finnish gravel — a season built for drama
The WRC calendar once again delivers a world-class mix of rallies and surfaces, starting with Monte-Carlo’s unpredictable winter conditions before moving through iconic events across Europe and beyond. And of course, one of the season’s true highlights awaits in the heart of Finland:
Secto Rally Finland returns to Jyväskylä (30 July – 2 August) — the legendary high-speed gravel classic where commitment, precision and bravery define success. It’s a rally where Finnish drivers have always felt at home, and where the nation’s stars will be aiming to shine in front of passionate local crowds.
The stage is set
With Monte Carlo’s launch event delivering the first big moment of the year, the championship now shifts into full competitive mode. As the season begins, Finnish rally fans can look forward to a year where Pajari is pushing for consistent top results, and Lappi brings extra Finnish punch to key rounds with Hyundai.
The message for 2026 is simple: Finland is ready to fight at the front — and the chase for P1 starts now.
(Photo: Jaanus Ree / Redbull Content Pool)
