World Rally Championship
2019 World Rally Championship
The 2018 season delivered the closest and most dramatic battle in years and no fewer than three drivers, co-drivers and manufacturers went into the final event fighting for the titles. The twists and turns on so many rounds resulted in intense highs and devastating lows, changing the face of the championship event by event. It was one of the most unpredictable and spectacular competitions in recent memory that even surpassed 2017 when the new generation World Rally Cars were first introduced.
2019 is set to deliver more and while Citroën, Hyundai, M-Sport Ford and Toyota are once again set to battle it out on the world’s stages, changes in driver and co-driver line-ups are sure to shuffle the pack. This year’s Championship also increases to 14 events with Chile joining the calendar for the first time.
The support championships have been restructured and, for 2019, there will be a newly-created WRC 2 Pro Championship for registered R5 manufacturers. The same specification car will continue to be used in the FIA WRC 2 Championship, which will now be solely for private entrants. In order to continue supporting the progression of young talent, the successful format of the Junior WRC Championship will remain unchanged. The WRC 3 Championship has ceased, although competitors in two-wheel drive cars are still eligible to enter events.
The FIA R-GT Cup has an expanded calendar and will now be contested over eight events in the WRC, European Rally Championship and European Rally Trophy.