The FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) makes its much-anticipated return to Poland this weekend for the first time since 2017. Marking the midpoint of the 2024 season, Rally Poland kicks off a series of thrilling events on fast and flowing gravel stages, followed by WRC’s inaugural visit to Latvia in July and the iconic Rally Finland in August.
Historic Rally Poland
Rally Poland, one of the oldest rallies globally, first ran in 1921 and was part of the initial WRC calendar in 1973. After featuring again in 2009 and from 2014-2017, the event resumes in the picturesque Masurian lake district in Mikołajki. Known for its high speeds, Rally Poland’s stages present a unique challenge with their soft, sandy surfaces, contrasting with the firmer roads of Finland.
TGR-WRT Line-up
Two-time Rally Poland winner Sébastien Ogier returns, bolstering the Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team (TGR-WRT) after triumphs in Croatia and Portugal, and a second-place finish in Sardinia. Elfyn Evans, currently joint second in the drivers’ standings, and Takamoto Katsuta, making his Rally Poland debut, complete the TGR-WRT driver roster.
In WRC2, four GR Yaris Rally2 cars are set to compete, driven by Sami Pajari, Roope Korhonen, Georg Linnamäe, and Gregor Jeets.
Rally Schedule
The action begins on Thursday evening with a super special stage next to the service park in Mikołajki, followed by two loops of three stages to the east on Friday and Saturday. Sunday’s stages take place closer to the service park, featuring two repeated stages.
Team and Driver Insights
Jari-Matti Latvala, Team Principal:
“It’s exciting to return to Poland. This rally is fast, akin to Finland, but the soft, sandy base means the road can become quite rutted on the second pass. It’s crucial for drivers to be confident and comfortable pushing in those conditions. Our car has performed well on fast rallies, and we aim to give our drivers the confidence to attack.”
Elfyn Evans (Driver car 33):
“After some challenging rallies, we’re looking forward to these faster events. Rally Poland’s fast pace is a significant shift from Sardinia. The roads tend to deteriorate, especially on the second pass, making it a demanding rally. It’s almost like a new rally with our old pacenotes.”
Sébastien Ogier (Driver car 17):
“I’m eager to return to Rally Poland, which has always been enjoyable and memorable. It’s extremely fast, with some soft and sandy sections posing surprises on the second pass. Despite not driving many fast rallies recently, I feel good in the car and aim to fight for the win.”
Takamoto Katsuta (Driver car 18):
“I’m excited about my first Rally Poland. The stages are similar to Estonia—high-speed with soft sections. Although I lack previous experience here, I’ve prepared by watching onboards and aim to perform well. I look forward to pushing hard in Latvia and Finland.”
Looking Ahead
The WRC’s return to Poland heralds a thrilling series of high-speed gravel events, testing drivers and teams on varied terrains. As Rally Poland unfolds, fans can anticipate intense competition and strategic driving, setting the stage for the upcoming rallies in Latvia and Finland.
