Third WRC2 victory for Lancia Corse HF as Gryazin triumphs in Japan and takes championship lead

• Nikolay Gryazin secures his first victory of the season with the Lancia Ypsilon Rally2 HF Integrale
• Ten stage wins for the 28-year-old Lancia Corse HF driver, who moves to the top of the WRC2 drivers’ standings
• Third WRC2 victory of the season for the Lancia Ypsilon Rally2 HF Integrale
• Next stop is the legendary Acropolis Rally Greece, as the championship returns to gravel
   

Nikolay Gryazin and co-driver Konstantin Aleksandrov claimed their first victory of the season aboard the Lancia Ypsilon Rally2 HF Integrale at Rally Japan. Following a third-place finish in Croatia, the Bulgarian driver stepped onto the top step of the podium after a hard-fought battle with Spain’s Alejandro Cachón.

Gryazin secured ten stage wins throughout the event and, after spending the opening day in recovery mode, gradually took control of the rally thanks to his experience and ability to master Japan’s narrow and highly technical roads. One of the standout moments came on SS7 Obara 1, where Gryazin set the fastest time despite suffering both contact and a puncture during the 16.44-kilometre stage.

The fight for victory remained wide open until the penultimate special stage, with Gryazin holding a slender advantage of just 2.8 seconds heading into the rally-closing Lake Mikawako Power Stage. The Lancia Corse HF crew delivered a decisive final push, securing victory by 15.5 seconds after Cachón spun on the final stage.

Thanks to his Japanese success, Gryazin moves to the top of the WRC2 Drivers’ Championship standings on 56 points, four ahead of team-mate Yohan Rossel, who is tied with his brother Léo Rossel and Finland’s Roope Korhonen. Konstantin Aleksandrov also takes over the lead in the co-drivers’ standings, while Lancia Corse HF maintains its position at the top of the WRC2 Teams’ Championship.

The result marks the third WRC2 victory of the season for the Lancia Ypsilon Rally2 HF Integrale, further underlining the competitiveness of the car across a variety of conditions and rally characteristics. The FIA World Rally Championship now heads to one of its toughest challenges, the legendary Acropolis Rally Greece, where the battle will continue on the demanding gravel roads of the Mediterranean classic.

Nikolay Gryazin – Official WRC2 Driver, Lancia Corse HF

“It’s difficult to put this feeling into words. Rally Japan is always one of the most demanding events on the calendar, the roads are incredibly technical, the grip changes all the time, and one small mistake can cost everything. This weekend we had an amazing fight with Alejandro Cachón. We were pushing from the first stage until the very end, and honestly, that battle made this victory even more special.

I’m extremely proud of the whole team. The work they did throughout the rally was incredible. The car was fantastic from the first km. Every time I needed confidence, the Lancia gave it to me. We made some small adjustments during the event, and the team reacted perfectly. That’s what allows you to fight for victories at this level.

Winning with Lancia means a lot. This brand has such a legendary history in rallying, and to be part of its return is something special. You can feel the passion behind this project every day. Everyone in the team is working incredibly hard, and results like this are a reward for all those efforts.

Japan has always been a place I enjoy. I’ve had good memories here before, but this victory is definitely one of the highlights of my career. To win such a close battle, on these roads, with this team and this car, is something I will remember for a long time.

A huge thank you to Konstantin, the entire Lancia Corse HF team, our partners, and all the fans who supported us throughout the weekend. This is an important victory, but we stay focused. The season is still long, and we want to keep pushing.”

Media contact:
Lancia HQ
Simona Magnarelli +39 366 6729414 – simona.magnarelli@stellantis.com 

Team Lancia Corse HF / Stellantis Motorsport
Mathilde Ponceau +33 6 58 81 43 01 – mathilde.ponceau@external.stellantis.com

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Turin, 31 May 2026