A New Era Dawns in WRC: Project Rally One Set to Shake Up 2027 Championship!
In a groundbreaking announcement that has electrified the motorsport community, the FIA has unveiled a new constructor poised to make waves in the World Rally Championship (WRC) come 2027. Enter Project Rally One, a bold initiative spearheaded by the illustrious motorsport engineer Lionel Hansen, former FIA rally director Yves Matton, and the innovative minds at Prospeed. This ambitious project marks a monumental first, being the inaugural endeavor led by a tuner under the WRC’s fresh technical regulations.
As the WRC gears up for its next regulatory cycle, Project Rally One is not just another entry; it’s a statement of intent. The team is set to design, build, and homologate a WRC27-specification car that aims to redefine the competitive landscape. Until now, Toyota was the sole manufacturer known to be developing a WRC2027-spec vehicle, but the landscape is about to change dramatically.
FIA’s technical director, Xavier Mestelan Pinon, has previously hinted that at least two tuners are collaborating closely with the FIA for the 2027 season, and Project Rally One is leading the charge. This new technical framework, which is designed to last for a decade, aims to entice fresh manufacturers and teams into the fold by ensuring affordability and flexibility. With a cost cap set at €345,000, these cars will deliver a robust 300 horsepower and feature a space frame chassis, complemented by some Rally2 components.
The brains behind this project, Matton and Hansen, have an impressive track record, having recently collaborated to develop the homologated Porsche 992 Rally GT car, which made waves in its competitive debut this year. Significant strides have already been made within Project Rally One. The chassis is fully designed and built, with prototype assembly currently underway. Once completed, the car will undergo a rigorous development regimen, including more than 6,000 kilometers of testing on both gravel and asphalt, gearing up for its homologation, with the initial shakedown slated for spring 2026.
But that’s not all. For Project Rally One to compete, it must adhere to stringent FIA homologation rules, necessitating the production of at least 10 cars within 24 months of the homologation date, and commit to fielding two vehicles in at least 50% of the WRC calendar in its debut season.
Hansen expressed his elation, stating, “The entry of Project Rally One to the FIA World Rally Championship is a hugely important moment for us. To be the first to present a new car for the WRC’s next era is something we are extremely proud of. The introduction of the WRC27 regulations gave us the opportunity to take the step into the championship. This new framework creates an environment for independent projects like ours, allowing us to compete against established manufacturers.”
Echoing this sentiment, Mestelan Pinon remarked, “The entry of Project Rally One to the FIA World Rally Championship is a clear indication that this vision is taking shape. By opening homologation to tuners and creating a cost-effective long-term technical framework, we are leveling the playing field for tuners to enter the WRC on equal terms with manufacturers. Project Rally One exemplifies this vision and confirms that the new era of the FIA World Rally Championship is already starting to deliver the growth and diversity the sport needs.”
As the countdown to 2027 begins, all eyes will be on Project Rally One and its quest to shake up the WRC landscape. The stage is set, and the thrill of competition is about to reach unprecedented heights!









