Why the asphalt-spec Rally1 monsters will be greatly missed

The mindblowing sight of a low-slung asphalt version of the million-euro Rally1 World Rally Championship monster roaring through a stage is now consigned to the history books. 

May’s Rally Japan featured the first farewell of the Rally1 machines, the like of which we may not see grace the WRC for some time. There was universal sadness throughout the service park once the cars parked up for the final time after Toyota and Elfyn Evans claimed the last win for this specification of car. 

Next year the WRC will move to new technical regulations and, while those rules are designed to lower costs and increase the number of competitors at the top level, the new cars – based largely around the current second-tier Rally2 machinery – will take a step backwards in terms of speed, performance and aerodynamics. It was a moment not lost on the drivers in Japan. 

“I am going to miss the Rally1 car on Tarmac,” said Adrien Fourmaux. “Even if we [Hyundai] are slower, the performance of these cars on Tarmac is just incredible.”

“They’re just the ultimate rally car,” said M-Sport Ford driver Jon Armstrong. “We always want to be driving something that feels like the fastest car that you can get. Still, I think Rally2 is also a good package and, who knows, I’m sure they’ll be just as fast in years to come.” 

The current Rally1 machines still have six gravel rallies remaining, but the cars in arguably their most aggressive forms are now museum pieces. While for many rallying is all about kicking up the dust on gravel stages, the asphalt versions are often the fastest and the coolest. 

It’s the closest a rally car comes to a circuit racer. How can you not marvel at the sight and speed of the Toyota GR Yaris, Hyundai i20 N and Ford Puma Rally1 cars in Tarmac spec? They look fast and aggressive standing still.

There is no question the Rally1 car will be remembered as one of the most hardcore bits of kit WRC enthusiasts have witnessed. In the first iteration, featuring a 100kW hybrid unit (until the end of 2024), they produced 500bhp. Many were concerned they wouldn’t live up to the 2017 WRC cars but, while the older machines had an edge on looks and performance, Rally1 has been a worthy successor. 

M-Sport Ford driver Armstrong, here in Croatia, says: “They’re just the ultimate rally car”

Photo by: M-Sport

There are few things in global motorsport that can stir the emotions like a Rally1 car in full flight through a narrow asphalt stage in Monte Carlo. Over the past 20 years, this writer has been incredibly fortunate to go for passenger rides in touring cars, V8 Supercars, GT3 machines, and on one occasion drive a single-seater. 

But nothing comes close to the thrill of sampling a Rally1 car on asphalt. The acceleration is next level to the point that your eyes and brain simply cannot keep up, and on dry asphalt the force is such that your vision becomes blurry. This factor increased severalfold when they had the hybrid kit bolted to them (2022-24). 

That acceleration, plus the way it can change direction, tackle hairpins, chicanes and fast corners, and how quickly it can stop, creates a unique ride in world motorsport. Every time I’ve stepped out of one, my legs have taken a good few hours to stop shaking and my brain can’t quite believe what I’ve experienced. 

You never feel more alive than when you are in one of these cars – and it soon dawns on you how the drivers must crave this adrenalin hit time after time. Once you’ve sat alongside the likes of Evans or Hyundai’s Dani Sordo (in my case), the appreciation for the drivers who have the ability to wrestle these cars in the most difficult of environments skyrockets. They really are the best drivers on the planet. 

“For me Rally1 is the modern-day Group B. These are the fastest and best cars I’ve ever dealt with, and probably will be for a long time” Richard Millener

But we move forward. The rally world became misty eyed when the awesome 2017-21 WRC cars, featuring crazy aero and centre differentials, were put out to pasture, and now the same will happen for Rally1. But in the same way that Rally1 lived up to the previous generation, who’s to say that in time, and after the development gurus weave their magic, the new generation of cars can’t replicate the sheer thrill that Rally1 has provided?

“For me Rally1 is the modern-day Group B,” says M-Sport Ford team principal Richard Millener. “These are the fastest and best cars I’ve ever dealt with, and probably will be for a long time. It will be a shame to see them go. I think they look aggressive, cool and super-exciting to watch. 

“The new set of regulations has a 10-year lifespan and those will develop over time. In six months, honestly, we won’t be talking about these because even if we are using a combination of the new-regulation car, and Rally2 for others, I still think it’s going to be super-close battles, even closer than we have now. That will instantly take the storylines away from anybody’s concerns right now.”

This article is one of many in the monthly Autosport magazine. For more premium content, take a look at the August 2026 issue and subscribe today.

As the next generation of World Rally Championship machinery evolves, who’s to say it won’t be held in similar regard?