World Rally Championship facts for kids
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| Category | Rallying |
|---|---|
| Country | International |
| Inaugural season | 1973 |
| Manufacturers | 3 |
| Tyre suppliers | Hankook |
| Drivers' champion |  Thierry Neuville |
| Co-Drivers' champion | Martijn Wydaeghe |
| Manufacturers' champion |  Toyota |
 Current season |
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The World Rally Championship (often called WRC) is a top international competition for rallying. It's managed by the FIA, which is like the main sports group for car racing. The WRC started in 1973, making it one of the oldest world championships after Formula One.
Each WRC season lasts a full year and usually has about 13 events. These events are called rallies. They last three to four days and take place on different surfaces. Cars race on gravel, tarmac (like regular roads), snow, and ice. Each rally has 15 to 25 special stages. These are closed roads where drivers race against the clock. They cover up to 350 kilometers (about 217 miles) in these stages.
Drivers, co-drivers, and car manufacturers all compete for separate championship titles. There are also other championships for different car types. These include WRC2 and WRC3. They use the same rally events and stages but with cars that have less power and cost less. The Junior WRC is for younger drivers and takes place at five WRC events.
Contents
Rally Championships Explained
World Rally Championship for Manufacturers
Car manufacturers need to sign up to score points in this championship. They must race in every rally of the season. They use special cars called Group Rally1 cars. Before 2022, these were known as World Rally Cars.
These manufacturer teams use the most powerful cars and have the best drivers. This means their drivers usually earn the most points in the individual championships too. The WRC often focuses on these teams and their drivers. These top crews are called "Priority 1" (P1) and race the stages first.
World Rally Championships for Drivers and Co-Drivers
Any team that enters a WRC rally can earn points for the Drivers' and Co-Drivers' championships. It doesn't matter what type of car they use. It also doesn't matter how many rallies they enter. Co-drivers can drive the car if there's a special reason, like an emergency.
Support Championships
The WRC also has support championships like WRC2 and WRC3. These races happen on the same events and stages as the main WRC. However, they have stricter rules about the types of cars allowed.
WRC2
WRC2 uses only Rally2 cars. There are championships for drivers, co-drivers, and teams. Drivers and co-drivers can enter up to 7 events. Their best 6 results count towards their total points. Teams must enter two cars in up to 7 events. Points from 5 of 6 European events count, plus points from a 7th rally outside Europe.
Drivers, co-drivers, and teams decide if they want to score points before each rally. They can do this separately. So, the same driver and co-driver team might score points in different events. WRC2 crews are "Priority 2" and race after the P1 crews. In 2023, new WRC2 Challenger championships started for drivers and co-drivers who haven't won the series before.
WRC3
WRC3 uses only Group Rally3 cars. Before 2022, it used Group Rally2 cars. This championship is for drivers and co-drivers. It's designed for private drivers, meaning it costs less to enter than WRC2. There are rules about who can enter and how much professional help they can get. Drivers and co-drivers can enter up to 5 rallies, with their best 4 results counting. WRC3 crews are "Priority 3" and race after WRC2 crews.
Junior WRC
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Junior WRC is a special championship for younger drivers. It runs over 5 WRC events. All drivers use Ford Fiesta Rally3 cars provided by M-Sport. Drivers must be under 29 years old to enter. Titles are given to drivers and co-drivers. There's no age limit for co-drivers.
WRC Masters Cup
The FIA WRC Masters Cup started in 2023. It's for drivers and co-drivers who are over 50 years old. They can use any WRC-eligible car except Rally1 cars. This cup replaced the WRC2 Masters Cup from 2022.
Past Support Championships
Over the years, the WRC has had other support championships. These included the WRC Academy, the World Rally Championship Ladies Cup, and the Production car World Rally Championship (P-WRC). There was also the 2-Litre World Rally Cup and the Super 2000 World Rally Championship (S-WRC). These championships were stopped for various reasons, like high costs or new car rules.
| Evolution of the WRC Championships | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 1980 | 1990 | 2000 | 2010 | 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| Overall Championships | Manufacturers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FIA Cup | Drivers and Co-Drivers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Support Championships | PWRC | WRC 3 (2WD) | WRC 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| JWRC | JWRC | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2 Litre Cup | SWRC | WRC 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
History of Rally Cars
Early Days of WRC
The World Rally Championship started in 1973. It grew out of other international rallies. Nine of these were part of the International Championship for Manufacturers (IMC) from 1970 to 1972. The first WRC season kicked off with the Monte Carlo Rally on January 19.
Alpine-Renault won the first manufacturer's world championship with its Alpine A110. Then, Lancia won the title three years in a row with the Lancia Stratos HF. This was the first car made just for rallying. The first championship for drivers wasn't given out until 1979. Before that, there was an "FIA Cup for Drivers." Italy's Sandro Munari and Finland's Markku Alén won these cups in 1977 and 1978.
Sweden's Björn Waldegård became the first official world champion in 1979. He beat Finland's Hannu Mikkola by just one point. Other early winners included Fiat and Ford.
The Group B Era
The 1980s brought big changes to rally cars. Older rear-wheel-drive cars were replaced by powerful four-wheel-drive Group B cars. At first, many thought all-wheel-drive was too complex. But then Audi started racing their new Quattro car. It was very successful right away.
Group B rules started in 1982. These rules allowed cars to have almost unlimited power. Audi won the manufacturers' title in 1982 and 1984. Their drivers, Mikkola and Stig Blomqvist, also won titles. In 1982, French driver Michèle Mouton almost won the title for Audi.
The 1986 season started with fast cars like the Lancia Delta S4. This car could go from 0 to 60 mph in just 2.3 seconds on a gravel road! However, the season became very sad. At the Rally Portugal, three people died after a car crashed. Then, at the Tour de Corse, championship favorite Henri Toivonen and his co-driver Sergio Cresto died in a fiery crash.
Because of these accidents, the FIA decided to ban Group B cars from 1987. They were too dangerous.
The Group A Era
After Group B was banned, Group A cars became the main type in WRC until 1997. Lancia quickly adapted to the new rules. Their Lancia Delta HF cars dominated, winning the manufacturers' title six years in a row (1987-1992). Lancia is still the most successful car brand in WRC history.
In the 1990s, Japanese car makers like Toyota, Subaru, and Mitsubishi became top contenders. Spain's Carlos Sainz won titles with Toyota Team Europe. Then, Finland's Juha Kankkunen won his fourth title with Toyota in 1993. Didier Auriol also won for Toyota in 1994.
Later, Scotsman Colin McRae won the drivers' title for Subaru in 1995. Subaru also won the manufacturers' title three years in a row. Finland's Tommi Mäkinen won the drivers' championship four times in a row (1996-1999) with a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. Mitsubishi also won the manufacturers' title in 1998.
The World Rally Car Era
In 1997, new World Rally Car rules were introduced. These cars were designed to be easier to develop. After Mäkinen's success, France's Peugeot made a strong return. Finn Marcus Grönholm won the drivers' title in his first full year, and Peugeot won the manufacturers' title.
England's Richard Burns won the 2001 title with a Subaru Impreza WRC. But Grönholm and Peugeot won both titles back in 2002. In 2003, Norway's Petter Solberg became champion for Subaru. Then, Citroën and their driver Sébastien Loeb took over. Loeb won nine championships in a row from 2004 to 2012!
Some car makers left the WRC due to money problems. But Volkswagen Motorsport joined in 2013. Sebastien Ogier then dominated, winning six titles in a row. Hyundai also returned in 2014. New World Rally Car rules in 2017 made cars faster and look more aggressive.
In 2018, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT won the manufacturers' title. This was their first since 1999. Tommi Mäkinen, a former champion driver, led the team. He became the first person to win a championship as both a driver and a team boss. In 2019, Ott Tänak broke the long winning streak of the French Sebastians (Loeb and Ogier). Hyundai won the manufacturers' title in 2019 and 2020. Ogier won again in 2020 and 2021 with Toyota. The World Rally Car era ended in 2021 after 25 years.
How Rallies Work
Rally Calendar
Each WRC season has several rallies in one year. They usually take place on at least three different continents. In the past, rallies have been held on every continent except Antarctica. Recently, there have been about 13 rallies each year. However, in 2020, there were only 7 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Rallies are held on gravel, tarmac, snow, and ice.
Rally Events
The racing parts of a rally are called special stages. These are on closed roads. Between stages, drivers travel on regular roads called liaisons. On these roads, they must follow all traffic laws. Drivers get a "road book" with directions and must reach the next stage on time. They also carry a "timecard" to record their progress. A typical day involves about 400 kilometers (250 miles) of driving.
Today, each rally usually has 15 to 30 special stages. These stages can be from under 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) to over 50 kilometers (31 miles) long. The total length of special stages is no more than 350 kilometers (217 miles). Some stages are called "super special stages." These are often short and designed for spectators or promotions. They might be on a different surface, or two cars might race at the same time on a loop.
Since 2021, rallies usually have only one type of road surface. This means cars don't need big changes to their setup during the rally. In the past, some rallies had both gravel and asphalt stages. This required teams to make major changes to the cars, like switching wheels and adjusting suspension.
A WRC event starts with "recce" (reconnaissance) on Tuesday and Wednesday. This is when crews drive through the stages to make or update their notes. On Thursday, teams can practice on a "shakedown" stage to test their car setups. The competition usually begins on Thursday evening or Friday morning. It ends on Sunday with the Power Stage. Cars start stages two minutes apart, or three minutes if visibility is poor.
Each rally has a main service park. Here, cars are prepared and repaired after each group of stages. Some rallies might have smaller service areas closer to the stages. There are strict rules about how much time teams can spend working on the cars. At the end of each day, cars are put into a "parc fermé." This is a secure area where teams cannot work on their cars.
Championship Points
Points are given out after each rally. These points add up for the world championship titles. The teams and drivers with the most points at the end of the season win. Until 2023, points were given to the top finishers in each rally. Since 2011, extra points were also given for the Power Stage. A new points system started for the 2024 season.
Manufacturers choose up to three teams to score points for them before an event. The two fastest teams from each manufacturer get points for the manufacturer championship. A driver can win the drivers' championship, but a different manufacturer can win the manufacturers' championship. This has happened many times, including in 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2024.
Power Stage
The "Power Stage" was first used in 2011. It's the final stage of the rally and is often shown live on TV. After this stage, the rally winners celebrate on the podium. Extra championship points are given to the five fastest drivers and co-drivers on this stage. The fastest gets five points, the second fastest gets four, and so on, down to one point for the fifth fastest. Since 2021, manufacturers also score Power Stage points. The Power Stage is timed to a thousandth of a second, while other stages are timed to a tenth of a second.
Restarting After Retirement
If a team has to stop racing (retire) during a rally, they can usually restart the next day. However, they get a penalty for each stage they missed. This penalty is ten minutes plus the fastest time in their group for that stage. This rule, once called "SuperRally" or "Rally 2," helps teams get more value from their entry. It also means more action for fans. Teams are now expected to restart unless they officially say they are out for good. Organizers can still decide if a team can restart, especially after a serious crash.
Rally Cars
The rules for WRC cars are set by the FIA. For a long time, WRC cars were "Series Production Cars." This meant a certain number had to be made for regular sale to the public. But with the Group Rally1 cars introduced in 2022, this changed. Rally1 cars are now "Competition Cars," built specifically for racing.
Car rules have changed over time. This is to help with costs, improve safety, use new technology, attract more car makers, or make the sport more exciting. Cars are grouped into different classes based on their performance. RC1 cars are the fastest, and RC5 cars are the slowest allowed in WRC.
To enter a WRC rally in 2022, cars had to be approved in certain groups or classes. These included World Rally Car 1.6L, and various cars from the Groups Rally and Group R.
World Rally Car 1.6L
These cars have 1.6-liter direct injection turbo engines and four-wheel drive. Their power is limited to about 280 kW (around 375 horsepower). The "WRC+" cars, like the Ford Fiesta WRC and Toyota Yaris WRC, could not be driven by drivers who scored manufacturer points between 2017 and 2021. Older WRC cars from 2011, like the Volkswagen Polo R WRC, were allowed without these limits. 2021 was the last season for these cars at the top level. They were replaced by Rally1 cars in 2022.
Groups Rally
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The Groups Rally has six types of rally cars that can race in WRC.
- Rally1 cars started in 2022. They replaced the World Rally Car as the main cars for the manufacturers' championship. These cars use hybrid power for the first time in rallying. They also have simpler parts to help reduce costs.
- Rally2 cars (formerly R5 cars) are the second most powerful. They are the only cars allowed in WRC2.
- Rally2-Kit cars (formerly R4-kit) can also enter. Rally2 and Rally2-Kit cars are in the same sporting class, RC2.
- Rally3 cars started in 2021 and are used in WRC3 since 2022.
- Rally4 cars (formerly R2) and Rally5 cars (formerly R1) do not have their own specific championships.
Group R
Starting in 2008, Group R cars were introduced. These cars were meant to replace the older Group A and Group N cars. Group R cars are classified based on their engine size, wheelbase, and drivetrain. Even older cars could be reclassified under Group R if they met the rules.
As of 2021, R3 and R-GT cars are still allowed to enter WRC rallies. R3 cars are now in the RC4 sporting class. Neither R3 nor R-GT cars have their own WRC support championships.
Cars Used in the Past
When WRC began in 1973, cars from different groups were allowed. These included Group 1 (production touring cars), Group 2 (touring cars), Group 3 (production grand touring cars), and Group 4 (modified grand touring cars). In 1982, new groups were formed: Group N replaced Group 1, Group A replaced Group 2, and Group B replaced Group 4.
Group B cars were banned in 1986 due to their extreme power and several fatal accidents. After that, Group A cars became the top choice for manufacturers. Private teams often used Group N cars, which were more affordable. A Group N car only won a WRC rally once, in 1989.
In 1997, the World Rally Car specification was introduced. This was an extension of Group A. These WRC cars were used in the manufacturers' championship. In 2011, changes were made to the World Rally Car rules. The engine size was limited to 1.6 liters, and cars could be smaller. Further changes in 2017 allowed for more aerodynamic designs and increased power.
Super 2000 cars were allowed in rallies from 2007 to 2018. They had their own championship from 2010 to 2012. Super 1600 cars were only allowed in the Junior WRC until 2010.
| Evolution of Car Groups and Classes used in the WRC Manufacturers Championship | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 1980 | 1990 | 2000 | 2010 | 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | ||||||||||||
| Series Production | Group 4 | Group B | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Group 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Group 2 | Group A | World Rally Car 2.0L | World Rally Car 1.6L | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Group 1 | Group N | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Competition Car | Rally1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary of Car Groups and Classes otherwise permitted to enter rallies or in support championships | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 1990 | 2000 | 2010 | 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | ||
| Group N | N4 (>2.0L) | PWRC | WRC2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| N1-N3 (<=2.0L) | PWRC | PWRC 2.0L Cup |
PWRC | PWRC JWRC |
PWRC | WRC2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Group A | A8 (>2.0L) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A5-A7 (<=2.0L) | 2.0L Cup | JWRC | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Super 1600 | JWRC Only | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Super 2000 | PWRC | SWRC | WRC2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| WRC 1.6L | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Group R & Groups Rally |
R1 (Rally5) | JWRC | PWRC | WRC3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| R2 (Rally4) | JWRC | JWRC PWRC |
JWRC WRC3 |
WRC3 | JWRC WRC3 |
JWRC | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| R3 | JWRC | PWRC | WRC3 | JWRC WRC3 |
WRC3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| RGT | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| R4 / (Rally2-Kit) | SWRC PWRC |
WRC2 | Excl-Europe | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| R5 (Rally2) | WRC2 | WRC2 WRC3 |
WRC2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rally3 | WRC3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rally Tyres
Rally cars use different tyres for different surfaces. They have special tyres for dry asphalt, wet asphalt, gravel, snow, and ice. Some snow and ice tyres have metal studs for extra grip. Teams cannot cut their own patterns into the tyres.
For the 2023 season, Rally1 cars could use a maximum of 28 tyres per rally. Hankook is the only tyre supplier for the top class from 2025 to 2027.
WRC Promotion and Media
WRC Promoter GmbH handles all the business side of WRC. This includes media coverage, sponsorships, and getting more people to join. They provide news, articles, and images to media outlets for free. The WRC.com website and mobile apps offer news, live rally times, results, and championship standings.
In 2014, a special online video service called WRC+ started. It offered video clips and live broadcasts of some stages, including the Power Stage. In 2018, WRC+ All Live began, showing every special stage live for the first time. Commentary was available in English, and later in Spanish, German, and Japanese.
In 2023, WRC+ All Live was replaced by Rally.TV. This new service also includes coverage of the FIA World Rallycross Championship and the European Rally Championship. It has a TV channel that shows footage and documentaries between events.
Short, free videos are also shared on social media platforms like YouTube and Facebook. Red Bull TV also creates longer shows about WRC.
WRC TV
WRC TV creates preview shows, daily highlights, and event reviews for each rally. They also make other shows, like season reviews, for TV. Some TV stations show the Power Stage and other selected stages live.
The way these shows are presented can change depending on the country. In 2019, the total worldwide TV audience for WRC TV shows was 836 million people. The shows are available in over 150 countries.
Podcasts
An official WRC podcast is often produced. The latest version, "Backstories," has interviewed drivers and co-drivers since 2020.
WRC Records and Stats
Winning Manufacturers
21 different car makers have won a WRC event. These include Citroën, Ford, Lancia, Toyota, Peugeot, and Subaru. Another 11 car makers have finished on the podium (top three). Lancia has won the most manufacturers' championships, with ten titles.
Champions
| Season | Championship for drivers | Championship for manufacturers | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Driver | Car | Manufacturer | Car | |
| 1973 | No drivers' championship |  Alpine-Renault |
Alpine-Renault A110 | |
| 1974 |  Lancia |
Lancia Stratos HF | ||
| 1975 | Lancia |
Lancia Stratos HF | ||
| 1976 | Lancia |
Lancia Stratos HF | ||
| 1977 | Sandro Munari |
Lancia Stratos HF | Fiat |
Fiat 131 Abarth |
| 1978 |  Markku Alén |
Fiat 131 Abarth | Fiat |
Fiat 131 Abarth |
| 1979 |  Björn Waldegård |
Ford Escort RS1800 |  Ford |
Ford Escort RS1800 |
| 1980 |  Walter Röhrl |
Fiat 131 Abarth | Fiat |
Fiat 131 Abarth |
| 1981 | Ari Vatanen |
Ford Escort RS1800 | Talbot |
Talbot Sunbeam Lotus |
| 1982 | Walter Röhrl |
Opel Ascona 400 | Audi |
Audi Quattro |
| 1983 | Hannu Mikkola |
Audi Quattro | Lancia |
Lancia Rally 037 |
| 1984 | Stig Blomqvist |
Audi Quattro | Audi |
Audi Quattro |
| 1985 | Timo Salonen |
Peugeot 205 Turbo 16 | Peugeot |
Peugeot 205 Turbo 16 |
| 1986 | Juha Kankkunen |
Peugeot 205 Turbo 16 E2 | Peugeot |
Peugeot 205 Turbo 16 E2 |
| 1987 | Juha Kankkunen |
Lancia Delta HF 4WD | Lancia |
Lancia Delta HF 4WD |
| 1988 | Miki Biasion |
Lancia Delta Integrale | Lancia |
Lancia Delta Integrale |
| 1989 | Miki Biasion |
Lancia Delta Integrale | Lancia |
Lancia Delta Integrale |
| 1990 |  Carlos Sainz |
Toyota Celica GT-Four | Lancia |
Lancia Delta Integrale 16V |
| 1991 | Juha Kankkunen |
Lancia Delta Integrale 16V | Lancia |
Lancia Delta Integrale 16V |
| 1992 | Carlos Sainz |
Toyota Celica Turbo 4WD | Lancia |
Lancia Delta HF Integrale |
| 1993 | Juha Kankkunen |
Toyota Celica Turbo 4WD | Toyota |
Toyota Celica Turbo 4WD |
| 1994 | Didier Auriol |
Toyota Celica Turbo 4WD | Toyota |
Toyota Celica Turbo 4WD |
| 1995 | Colin McRae |
Subaru Impreza 555 | Subaru |
Subaru Impreza 555 |
| 1996 | Tommi Mäkinen |
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution III | Subaru |
Subaru Impreza 555 |
| 1997 | Tommi Mäkinen |
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IV | Subaru |
Subaru Impreza WRC |
| 1998 | Tommi Mäkinen |
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution V | Mitsubishi |
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution V |
| 1999 | Tommi Mäkinen |
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI | Toyota |
Toyota Corolla WRC |
| 2000 | Marcus Grönholm |
Peugeot 206 WRC | Peugeot |
Peugeot 206 WRC |
| 2001 | Richard Burns |
Subaru Impreza WRC 2001 | Peugeot |
Peugeot 206 WRC |
| 2002 | Marcus Grönholm |
Peugeot 206 WRC | Peugeot |
Peugeot 206 WRC |
| 2003 |  Petter Solberg |
Subaru Impreza WRC 2003 | Citroën |
Citroën Xsara WRC |
| 2004 | Sébastien Loeb |
Citroën Xsara WRC | Citroën |
Citroën Xsara WRC |
| 2005 | Sébastien Loeb |
Citroën Xsara WRC | Citroën |
Citroën Xsara WRC |
| 2006 | Sébastien Loeb |
Citroën Xsara WRC | Ford |
Ford Focus RS WRC 06 |
| 2007 | Sébastien Loeb |
Citroën C4 WRC | Ford |
Ford Focus RS WRC 06/07 |
| 2008 | Sébastien Loeb |
Citroën C4 WRC | Citroën |
Citroën C4 WRC |
| 2009 | Sébastien Loeb |
Citroën C4 WRC | Citroën |
Citroën C4 WRC |
| 2010 | Sébastien Loeb |
Citroën C4 WRC | Citroën |
Citroën C4 WRC |
| 2011 | Sébastien Loeb |
Citroën DS3 WRC | Citroën |
Citroën DS3 WRC |
| 2012 | Sébastien Loeb |
Citroën DS3 WRC | Citroën |
Citroën DS3 WRC |
| 2013 | Sébastien Ogier |
Volkswagen Polo R WRC | Volkswagen |
Volkswagen Polo R WRC |
| 2014 | Sébastien Ogier |
Volkswagen Polo R WRC | Volkswagen |
Volkswagen Polo R WRC |
| 2015 | Sébastien Ogier |
Volkswagen Polo R WRC | Volkswagen |
Volkswagen Polo R WRC |
| 2016 | Sébastien Ogier |
Volkswagen Polo R WRC | Volkswagen |
Volkswagen Polo R WRC |
| 2017 | Sébastien Ogier |
Ford Fiesta WRC | M-Sport |
Ford Fiesta WRC |
| 2018 | Sébastien Ogier |
Ford Fiesta WRC | Toyota |
Toyota Yaris WRC |
| 2019 |  Ott Tänak |
Toyota Yaris WRC |  Hyundai |
Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC |
| 2020 | Sébastien Ogier |
Toyota Yaris WRC | Hyundai |
Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC |
| 2021 | Sébastien Ogier |
Toyota Yaris WRC | Toyota |
Toyota Yaris WRC |
| 2022 | Kalle Rovanperä |
Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 | Toyota |
Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 |
| 2023 | Kalle Rovanperä |
Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 | Toyota |
Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 |
| 2024 | Thierry Neuville |
Hyundai i20 N Rally1 | Toyota |
Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 |
Event Wins
Updated after 2025 Acropolis Rally. Drivers and manufacturers who have participated in the 2025 World Rally Championship are in bold.
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Video Games and Esports
Many video games have been made about the World Rally Championship. Some early ones like Sega Rally (1995) and V-Rally (1997) were arcade-style. They didn't focus much on realistic damage or physics. The Colin McRae Rally series, starting in 1998, was one of the first to feel more like a realistic racing simulation.
Other games like Rally Trophy (2001) focused on classic cars. RalliSport Challenge (2002) featured classic Group B cars and modern WRC cars. The first official FIA licensed game, WRC: World Rally Championship, came out in 2001 for PlayStation 2. A popular racing simulator, Richard Burns Rally (2004), is known for its realism.
More recent popular games include Colin McRae: DiRT 2 and Dirt 3. Gran Turismo 5 also includes WRC licensed cars. In 2010, Black Bean Games released WRC: FIA World Rally Championship, which featured cars, drivers, and events from the 2010 season. The WRC video game license moved to Kylotonn in 2015, who made games like WRC 5. The WRC license will pass to Codemasters for 2023 to 2027.
eSports WRC is an online championship based on the official video game. It started in 2016 and is free to join for anyone with the game. Each season ends with a Grand Finale where competitors race each other in person. This event often happens at a real rally service park. Some eSports champions, like Jon Armstrong, have also become real rally drivers.
See also
In Spanish: Campeonato Mundial de Rally para niños
