The 2023 Rally Championship season is set to be an exciting one with a host of new teams and drivers competing for the championship title. With new rules and regulations, it’s anyone’s guess who will come out on top. Here’s what to expect from the new season and who to watch out for.
New Teams to Watch
One of the most exciting things about the 2023 season is the number of new teams joining the championship. The most notable new team is Toyota Gazoo Racing, who are returning to the championship after a year-long hiatus. Toyota has a strong history in rallying, and their team is expected to be competitive right from the start.
Another new team to watch is M-Sport Ford. While Ford has a long history in rallying, this will be their first season competing as M-Sport Ford. They will be hoping to make an impact in their debut season and challenge for the championship title.
Finally, Citroen Racing is returning to the championship after a year off. They have a strong history in rallying and will be looking to make a statement in their first season back.
New Drivers to Watch
Alongside the new teams, there are also some new drivers to watch out for. The most notable of these is Andreas Mikkelsen, who is joining Toyota Gazoo Racing. Mikkelsen is an experienced driver and has competed in the championship for several years, so he knows what it takes to win. He’ll be hoping to make an immediate impact in his new team.
Another new driver to watch is Esapekka Lappi, who is joining Citroen Racing. Lappi has shown great promise in his previous seasons and will be looking to build on that in his new team.
Finally, there’s Adrien Fourmaux, who is joining M-Sport Ford. Fourmaux has been competing in lower-level championships for a few years, but he’s shown great potential and will be hoping to make his mark in the championship this season.
New Rules and Regulations
The 2023 season will also see some new rules and regulations introduced. One of the most significant changes is the introduction of hybrid engines. This is the first time that hybrid engines have been allowed in the championship, and it’s expected to bring some new challenges to the teams and drivers.
There are also new regulations around tire use. Teams will now be restricted in the number of tires they can use during each event, which means that they’ll need to be more strategic in their tire choices.
Finally, there are new regulations around the use of GPS technology. Teams will now be allowed to use GPS to help navigate the stages, but there are strict limits on the type of data that can be used.
