How many Skoda Fabia RS Rally2s will there be at the start of Monte-Carlo?

After several thousand kilometers on all surfaces and in many conditions, the new machine from the brand based in the Czech Republic will arrive in WRC2 in January. Approved in September, the RS Rally2 could have started its career immediately afterwards, but Skoda Motorsport preferred to postpone this deadline. The problem of supplying materials to build parts, the absence of sufficient stock for spare parts encouraged Michal Hrabanek (the boss) not to fill the order book. The manager did not want to penalize the many Fabia Rally2 owners by concentrating all activity on the RS. The latter still completed a race during the Lausitz Rally in Germany where Andreas Mikkelsen gave him his first success. Skoda having decided to leave nothing to chance for its future customers, new test sessions were recently carried out. There was first one in Greece on rough roads. The one carried out these days concerned the preparation of Monte-Carlo. Present since the start of the project, Kris Meeke was able to ride on dry and wet asphalt then on snow. Crowned WRC2 world champion in Japan, Emil Lindholm was also there. On a road presenting the difficulties of the January meeting, the Finn went off the road, sending the RS into a ravine. Was the absence of Andreas Mikkelsen during these sessions due to his recent paternity or is it confirmation of the rumor stating that Toksport only wants to field competitors with a budget this season.

Winner of the Lausitz Rally for the first race of the RS Rally2, has Andreas Mikkelsen contested his last rally under the colors of Skoda?

This should be the case for Lindholm, but also for Sami Pajari. The young Finn, however, is still looking for ways to be sure to compete in all 7 rounds. In Japan, Serkan Duru, the director of Toksport explained that he hoped to enter 3 new cars in Monte-Carlo. Present at the final event of the year to witness the coronation of a Skoda driver, Hrabanek was counting on 5 RS at the start in the Principality. No longer wishing to be officially involved, Skoda relies on private teams and Toksport will not be the only one to receive a car. Will there be one for Oliver Solberg? The possibility of seeing the Swede on a Puma Rally1 in 2023 has faded and the latter will be forced to fall back on a program with a Rally2. With sponsors, will Oliver “take” Mikkelsen’s place? After such intensive preparation, the competition has been warned: Skoda's objective is to establish its new Fabia RS Rally2 as the benchmark in the category.