Lancia returns to the Rallye Monte-Carlo: world debut in WRC2 for the Ypsilon Rally2 HF Integrale

• Scheduled from 22 to 25 January 2026, the 94^th edition of the Rallye Monte-Carlo is the opening round of the 2026 WRC season. It marks Lancia’s official return to the World Rally Championship with the new Lancia Ypsilon Rally2 HF Integrale.
• The event will feature 17 special stages, covering 339,15 timed kilometres, with the extreme weather conditions typical of Monte-Carlo.
• Lancia Corse HF Team will field Yohan Rossel, making his seventh appearance at the Rallye Monte-Carlo, and Nikolay Gryazin, competing for the 6^th time in the Principality. Both crews arrive with strong performance ambitions at one of the most demanding events on the WRC calendar.
• Taking centre stage is the Ypsilon Rally2 HF Integrale, a brand-new car developed through an intensive testing and validation programme, integrating advanced solutions in terms of weight, aerodynamics, engine, transmission, chassis, ergonomics and FIA safety.
• The strength of the project is confirmed by the 60 units of the Lancia Ypsilon Rally2 HF Integrale already purchased by teams and private customers in these first months.
• Trofeo Lancia set for its second edition, with the introduction of the new Ypsilon HF Racing Rally6 class.

The Rallye Monte-Carlo, the opening round of the 2026 World Rally Championship (WRC), represents a key milestone in Lancia’s motorsport journey, as the brand officially returns to the World Rally Championship with the new Lancia Ypsilon Rally2 HF Integrale, competing in the WRC2 category. Now in its 94th edition, the iconic Monaco-based event is one of the most prestigious and selective rallies on the entire calendar.

Scheduled from 22 to 25 January 2026, the rally will consist of 17 special stages totalling 339,15 timed kilometres, along a route that will put both crews and cars to the ultimate test. The traditional weather conditions of the Rallye Monte-Carlo - characterised by snow, ice, and freezing temperatures - will make race management particularly challenging, with tyre strategy set to play a decisive role in the final outcome.

For this important debut, the official Lancia Corse HF Team will field two leading figures from the international rally scene. Yohan Rossel (30yo), making his seventh appearance at the Rallye Monte-Carlo, while Nikolay Gryazin (28yo) will compete for the 6^th time in the Principality’s classic race. French driver Rossel has climbed every step nationally and internationally behind the wheel of Stellantis Group cars. Junior French Champion, Promotion Cup winner, WRC3 World Champion in 2021, WRC2 Vice-World Champion in 2025—these are just part of his achievements. Bulgarian driver Gryazin brings vast international experience. He mastered the toughest surfaces, notably winning the ERC U28 title and the WRC2 Challenger World Championship.

Both crews arrive at the event with strong performance ambitions, determined to exploit the full potential of the new Ypsilon Rally2 HF Integrale in one of the toughest competitions in the world championship. Moreover, the Rallye Monte-Carlo holds a special place in the brand’s history: Lancia boasts 13 overall victories in this legendary event, a record that underlines the deep bond between the brand and the most prestigious rally in the championship, giving this return particularly strong symbolic value. Highlighting the strategic importance of the event, the presence of Jean-Marc Finot, Senior VP Stellantis Motorsport, is also planned, along with Roberta Zerbi, CEO of Lancia, confirming the Stellantis Group’s commitment to the development of the rally project and to the brand’s sporting renaissance.

Zerbi said: “The Rallye Monte-Carlo represents far more than a race for Lancia: it is a symbolic place in our motorsport history and, today, the starting point of a new phase. Our return to WRC2 with the Ypsilon Rally2 HF Integrale is not a nostalgic operation, but a strategic choice, fully embedded in the brand’s relaunch journey.”

Miki Biasion will also be present at the Rallye Monte-Carlo. A two-time World Rally Champion and Lancia brand Ambassador, he is a symbolic figure in the brand’s motorsport history and will accompany the team at this iconic event.

Taking centre stage at the event is the Ypsilon Rally2 HF Integrale, an entirely new car that benefits from the experience gained over multiple racing seasons. All the improvements, evolutions and optimisations developed over the years have been integrated into a single platform, focused on seven key development areas: weight and balance, with significant mass reduction and a lower centre of gravity; advanced aerodynamics, improving downforce and stability at high speed; engine performance and drivability, featuring a new anti-lag system (ALS); transmission with revised gear ratios and differentials optimised for all surfaces; chassis and suspension fine-tuned to deliver class-leading performance on both tarmac and gravel; driver environment, redesigned for maximum ergonomics, comfort and concentration; bodyshell and roll cage, entirely new to ensure superior rigidity and full FIA safety compliance.

Developed through an intensive programme of testing and validation - carried out on both sides of the Alpine mountain roads and at the Balocco circuit (VC) - the new Ypsilon Rally2 HF Integrale blends engineering precision with Lancia’s distinctive identity, aiming to establish itself among the leading contenders of the category. The solidity of the project is further confirmed by the 60 units of the Lancia Ypsilon Rally2 HF Integrale purchased by teams and private customers in these first months. With the 2026 Rallye Monte-Carlo, Lancia therefore officially opens a new chapter in its motorsport journey, combining tradition, innovation, and ambition on one of the most renowned stages of global motorsport.

“Opening the rally season in Monaco is always a special moment, both in terms of the prestige and the demands of this event. This year, we will combine this challenge with the honour of wearing the colours of Lancia, which has already won thirteen times on Monegasque soil. The new Lancia Ypsilon HF Integrale Rally2 is ready to go, having undergone an intensive development programme in varied conditions representative of those expected this weekend. Thanks to the work accomplished and the strength of our crews, Y. Rossel – A. Dunand and N. Gryazin – K. Aleksandrov, we are approaching the Monte Carlo Rally with all the humility required by this legendary event, but also with a great deal of passion and ambition." stated Didier Clément, Team Principal Lancia Corse HF.

Nikolay Gryazin said: “Before Monte Carlo, we completed two full days of testing just before the New Year. The focus was on understanding the car, its balance, and behavior in different conditions, while building a solid baseline and good communication with the engineers. Despite limited time, the tests were very productive and gave us a clear direction. Preparing for Lancia’s return at Monte Carlo was something special. Beyond performance, the priority was to start this project the right way. Monte Carlo is always demanding due to changing conditions, so arriving confident and well-prepared was key. Starting the season in Monaco and being part of Lancia’s official return to rallying is a real honour. Sharing this moment with Yohan Rossel and Didier Clément made it even more meaningful. This launch represents history, ambition, and the future we are building together, and I’m proud to be part of it.”

Yohan Rossel stated: “The sensations during testing were good, even though conditions were quite complicated. We quickly found satisfactory settings. On the other hand, it is difficult to know what to expect for the rally, as snow is forecast almost everywhere. Adaptation will therefore be key. It was really great to be part of this launch. Our sport needs moments like this. We would have liked to enjoy it more, but with the reconnaissance day the next day, we preferred to play it safe. It was an excellent way to mark the start of the season with Lancia. Now we have only one desire: to get started on Thursday and see where we stand.”

Meanwhile, in Italy, preparations are underway for the second edition of the Trofeo Lancia, which will feature the two “sister” Ypsilon cars seen at Monte-Carlo: the confirmed Ypsilon Rally4 HF and the major new entry for the season, the Ypsilon HF Racing Rally6.
The latter represents the key novelty for 2026, with a dedicated class and a prize fund entirely reserved for this category. The Trofeo resumes from where it left off, building on the Italian Two-Wheel Drive Drivers’ and Manufacturers’ Championship titles and on a project that has already proven to be highly successful.
The calendar is confirmed with 6 rallies across 5 events — including one double-header — within the Italian Rally Championship Sparco (CIAR). The rich prize fund also remains unchanged, awarding prizes at each round and offering the Under35 Champion the opportunity to become an official Lancia driver in 2027. All the details of the Trofeo Lancia 2026 will be unveiled at the Racing Meeting, scheduled for 7–8 February at the Vicenza Exhibition Centre.

Media contact:

Lancia:
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

Lancia
With 119 years of history, Lancia embodies timeless Italian elegance — a brand that has inspired people all over the world with its iconic cars, from the refined Flaminia and Aurelia B24 Spider to the outstanding performance of Delta, Stratos and 037, as well as the eclectic Fulvia, Beta HPE and many others.
Today, Lancia is ready to embark on its Renaissance, driven by an ambitious ten-year strategic plan that is progressing at full speed.
Innovation and timeless design have always been the brand’s core values, and sustainability, customer centricity and social responsibility are now equally fundamental, as Lancia looks to the future with strong commitment and ambition.

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Turin, January 21, 2026