Pictures rally cars for 2018: New WRC racers in action for the first time

Toyota

Pictures rally cars for 2018

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25.01.2018

D he World Rally Championship is traditionally the first major international one Racing series that starts the new season in January. At the classic in Monte Carlo, M-Sport Ford, Hyundai, Toyota and Citroën will have to reveal their cards for the first time at the weekend. Before the start of the new WRC year, we will reveal what has happened to our rivals over the winter and show the first pictures of the shakedown of the new WRC generation in the gallery.

M-Sport Ford

M-Sport

Ogier is The hunted again in 2018. The defending champion expects even more resistance than last year.

Whether it suits the team or not: whoever has Sébastien Ogier under contract is the favorite . After five years of inactivity, Ford has finally set an example and officially helps with development and test work. Ogier expects less good-naturedness from the Fiesta, but more agile reactions. The question is whether the new number two Elfyn Evans can cope with a more pointed characteristic. After tire sponsor DMack withdrew, the financing of the third car at the turn of the year was still unclear. Teemu Suninen is a very promising candidate, 30-year-old Eric Camilli has yet to prove his class.

In terms of cast, the competition must keep an eye on Toyota. In addition to Jari-Matti Latvala, who was convincing in the previous year, newcomer Ott Tänak matured into a winning driver in 2017. As a test driver, the Estonian has learned a lot thanks to his time alongside Ogier. Latvala is already in a slight defensive position against the new signing. Both should keep an eye on the supposed number three: Esapekka Lappi is free from any self-doubt. Who took him to the Monte testsSeeing the greatest ease and elegance raging over the snow should be warned. On the way to the title, however, a lot will depend on whether team boss Tommi Mäkinen can bring more calm to the team when it comes to personnel changes than in 2017 and whether the modifications to the Yaris ignite.

Citroën

None Team has as much to catch up technically as Citroën, but the French continue to operate at half throttle. The test contingent of 55 days was not exhausted in 2017, the new head of technology Christophe Besse had to postpone some further developments into the new season due to a lack of money, staff and time. And shortly before the start of the season, the departure of team principal Yves Matton was announced. He was replaced by Pierre Budar.

Although Kris Meeke and Craig Breen could not fully convince last year, those responsible continue to rely on the two Irish, not least because the loudly announced offer to Champion Ogier was also half done like the rest of the gig. The new season won't change that either. Although three cars can be nominated for the brand world championship, Citroën only competes with two rally cars - apart from a handful of appearances for sponsor Khalid Al Qassimi.

The returnee Sébastien Loeb is celebrated as a savior, but the record world champion is now 43, has not contested a World Championship run for three years and only competes three times. There is no question of the title either. As in 2017, Matton only targeted individual victories.