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Everything You Need to Know About WRC’s Exciting New Constructor
Highlights
- Project Rally One to join WRC under 2027 technical rules.
- Car homologation scheduled for November 1 before competitive debut.
- Testing ongoing in France; gravel tests planned with Suninen next month.
- Team aims to enter two cars at 2027 Monte Carlo opener.
- Likely drivers include Stephane Lefebvre and Teemu Suninen for Monte Carlo.
- Car design resembles Porsche Macan; no official Porsche factory backing.
Belgian outfit Project Rally One will join the World Rally Championship in 2027, debuting a tuner-built Rally1 under the incoming technical rules after revealing the first WRC27-spec car.
The team will run alongside Spain’s RMC Motorsport as one of two tuner entries, competing against established manufacturers, including reigning champion Toyota.
Development continues with asphalt testing in France this week. Gravel running follows next month, with European rally champion Teemu Suninen scheduled to drive.
The car is set for its official homologation process on November 1, ahead of a competitive debut.
The team targets a two-car entry for the 2027 Monte Carlo opener, prioritising asphalt before expanding to gravel.
Homologation set for November 1 before the car’s competitive debut.
Team leader Lionel Hansen outlines an ambition to contest up to ten rounds across the WRC and the Belgian Rally Championship, with a flexible mix between both calendars.
The minimum target is four WRC events, starting with Monte Carlo to exploit asphalt strength.
Gravel options in the USA and Scotland are considered, where starting position could favour a late runner.
Project Rally One is targeting a two-car entry for the 2027 Monte Carlo Rally.
Driver selection remains open. Up to eight drivers have tested, including former factory racers Stéphane Lefebvre, Freddy Loix, Bruno Thiry, and Teemu Suninen.
Lefebvre and Suninen are front-runners for Monte Carlo, reflecting complementary tarmac and gravel strengths. The team plans at least one professional driver per event and is evaluating a customer car.
The car’s styling echoes the Porsche Macan, but there is no official Porsche factory involvement.
A standout feature is road-car styling that mirrors the Porsche Macan. Porsche is not formally involved, though talks took place last year and styling cues were permitted.
Porsche support was not feasible given budget and timing. Hansen believes the design could attract national importers or dealers, with potential interest in Paraguay, Chile, and the USA.
Factory backing remains unlikely due to existing commitments, but importer-level support could aid development and sponsorship without diluting competitiveness.
As preparation continues for 2027, homologation and testing milestones will frame the debut. For broader context, see recent WRC innovations shaping the championship’s direction.
Visual Summary
Project Rally One
1st
New-Era
Privateer WRC Car
Privateer WRC Car
10
Planned Rallies
(WRC + Belgium)
(WRC + Belgium)
🏁 Monte Carlo
2027 Debut Target
Asphalt 🇫🇷
Testing
(now)
(now)
Gravel 🏞️
Next Phase
(+Suninen)
(+Suninen)
Nov 1
Homologation
Official step
Official step
🇫🇷
Lefebvre
🇫🇮
Suninen
🇧🇪
Loix
🇧🇪
Thiry
+4
Other
Candidates
Driver selection in progress
Porsche-Inspired Style
Eye-catching design
(but not an official Porsche entry)
(but not an official Porsche entry)
Hints of Porsche Macan, with support possible from local importers
A Privateer’s Dream, Racing into a New Era
Project Rally One aims to shake up the WRC with bold design, big ambition,
and a debut at Monte Carlo 2027 in sight.
and a debut at Monte Carlo 2027 in sight.
Watch as this independent challenger takes on the world’s rally giants 🚗💨
Zane Muniz writes across NASCAR, IndyCar, F1, IMSA, NHRA, and dirt-racing news. His breaking-news alerts and event previews ensure motorsport fans never miss a lap, drift, or drag-strip showdown.
