A bold upheaval is underway as Project Rally One eyes a place in the FIA World Rally Championship starting in 2027. The FIA, the global authority over motor sport and mobility organizations, confirmed today that this project will be the first new Constructor to join the WRC under the sport’s revamped regulatory framework for the 2027 season.
Project Rally One is the brainchild of Lionel Hansen, a seasoned motorsport engineer, and Yves Matton, a veteran WRC expert, alongside Prospeed. This initiative marks the first time a tuner—not a traditional manufacturer—will lead a WRC entry in the sport’s upcoming era. The plan is to design, build, and homologate a car that complies with the WRC27 specifications for the championship’s next regulatory cycle.
The FIA’s decision comes after final elements of the WRC27 rules were approved, cementing a ten-year framework that will govern the series from 2027 onward. A key outcome is the formal definition of a Constructor and, for the first time, the opening of homologation to independent Tuners such as Project Rally One. This shift creates a level playing field where Tuners can compete on equal footing with OEMs (Manufacturers).
The forthcoming car is built to meet the WRC27 technical requirements, which introduce a cost-controlled platform capped at €345,000, a tubular safety cell, a double-wishbone suspension layout, four-wheel-drive, and a sustainably fueled 1.6-liter turbocharged internal-combustion engine.
While the design adheres to WRC27 specifications, Project Rally One prioritizes suspension and geometry optimization, weight distribution, and reliability, with early consideration given to customer needs and the diverse demands of potential racing series.
Progress on the project has advanced significantly. The chassis architecture has been designed and built, and the prototype is in assembly. Following completion, the car will enter an extensive development program, including more than 6,000 kilometers of gravel and asphalt testing before homologation. The first shakedown is targeted for spring 2026.
As with any new program, participation in the championship hinges on its completion and successful homologation under the WRC27 rules. Nevertheless, Project Rally One already stands as a notable milestone in the sport’s transition to the 2027 era, demonstrating how an affordability-focused, flexible regulatory framework can entice fresh entrants.
Lionel Hansen, Co-Founder of Project Rally One, remarked that the project marks a pivotal moment for their team and a historic step as the first new car proposal for the WRC’s next era. He noted that the WRC27 rules create a favorable environment for independent projects like theirs, enabling them to build a car from scratch and compete against manufacturers at the highest level.
With the chassis finished and the prototype entering assembly, Hansen expressed confidence in their direction and anticipated the first shakedown in spring, continuing development toward the car’s debut.
Malcolm Wilson, FIA Deputy President for Sport, called the arrival of Project Rally One a significant milestone for the WRC. He emphasized that the move toward a more cost-effective and accessible framework is already drawing new participants, which is vital for the sport’s long-term growth. He also noted that more tuners are preparing to compete alongside manufacturers.
Xavier Mestelan Pinon, FIA Chief Technical and Safety Officer, recalled that the WRC27 vision began with FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem’s push for a regulatory framework that lowers costs, broadens participation, and ensures long-term stability. Over four years, the FIA has worked to place safety, affordability, flexibility, and accessibility at the core of the championship, creating an attractive environment for new entrants.
Pinon added that Project Rally One’s entry demonstrates that opening homologation to tuners and providing a cost-effective, long-term technical framework has begun to deliver the intended growth and diversity for the WRC.
Peter Thul, WRC Promoter Director of Sport, commented that the quick follow-up to the WRC27 regulations signals strong interest from the automotive world in the pinnacle of rallying. He expressed optimism that this is just the first wave of similar announcements and reaffirmed the promoter’s role in supporting Hansen and Matton to realize their goals. Thul predicted that pairing WRC27-homologated cars with existing Rally2 entries will produce one of the deepest fields in recent WRC history.
