Yohan Rossel wants to aim for the 2026 WRC2 title while also being "ready for 2027" with Lancia

You are now officially confirmed for 2026 at Lancia. It's good to know that the holiday season will be peaceful, isn't it?

Even though it had been clear for many months that the future lay with the Stellantis Group and Lancia, it's certainly always better to be able to get through this time of year looking ahead to the upcoming season with peace of mind. Stellantis has placed its trust in me since the beginning, and I'm very honored to be able to continue this momentum with the team. Furthermore, the arrival of a new brand as iconic as Lancia gives me a real boost; it gives the project a real boost.

Let's quickly recap 2025: even though you didn't win the title, you displayed your highest level of play since your World Championship debut, both on asphalt and gravel. What aspects did you improve to achieve this?

Versatility is an aspect we still need to develop for 2026, without pushing ourselves to 120% and exposing ourselves to the risk of punctures or small mistakes that can cost valuable points. It's true that we performed well on most terrains; my only regret is not being able to put pressure on Oliver Solberg and on... Toyota Right to the very end. But Chile's withdrawal is part and parcel of motorsport, and what I take away most is that we were the second strongest team on the grid, the only ones able to put pressure on them and make them doubt themselves. In 2026, we'll still need to iron out a few minor details to get everything perfectly aligned.

What does it feel like to embody this return to the forefront of Lancia?

I'm well aware of the legend that is Lancia. Even just talking about it with my father or people of his generation! Lately, not a day goes by without someone asking me, "So Yohan, will you be with Lancia next season?" I felt that enthusiasm from the very first laps in the car; I can see that this project is generating a lot of interest. However, we must remain focused on our objectives and not get distracted by all this: the brand has a history that we have a duty to perpetuate.

2026 could be a pivotal year for you, where everything seems, on paper, to be falling into place for you to compete for the title. Is that already on your mind?

I approach each season as a pivotal one. My goal is to progress as much as possible each year, and so far, that's what's happening. Beyond that, the objective is to be ready for 2027: while we don't know exactly what the upcoming regulations will be like in WRCI want to prepare for the possibility of our current cars being competitive and therefore I want to be as ready as possible. To do this, I'm going to fine-tune every detail of my preparation, even more so than usual.

In fact, by 2027, the Lancia could be among the top-of-the-line cars, depending on how regulations evolve. Is that something you've already considered?

I'd be lying if I said it wasn't the case. I think about it every day; it's not a dream but a real goal to be able to compete with the top players in the future. rally worldwide, regardless of the cars we'd be driving. But before we really talk about that, the number one objective is, of course, to focus on WRC2 this year and the quest for the title. I think Lancia and I share the same goal: to be ready to arrive in the best possible position in 2027, and so I have 12 months ahead of me to prepare in the best possible way.

You were one of the key players in the development of the Ypsilon Rally2, what defines it?

In its overall appearance, as well as its aerodynamics, the car is truly well-designed. Of course, it's never easy to get a car racing after only six months of development, but I believe the Stellantis Group is certainly the best equipped in this regard. They have the most experience in the field and possess proven expertise with all the cars they've developed. I immediately felt comfortable in this car.

Do you think this new car will allow you to take your performance to the next level on both surfaces?

With the Lancia, we're opening up the scope of use more broadly; that was the initial objective of the project. Everyone is working towards the same goal, and we also have to consider that beyond the surface area, it's primarily the types of terrain that require adaptation. On dirt, for example, we can go from a hard surface to sand, clay, or even compacted earth, depending on the stage. Finding the right balance is never easy, but we need a car that can handle any terrain.

Starting the season with "your" rally, a sign of confidence before really getting into the heart of the season?

Tackling Monte Carlo, especially with a new car, is no easy feat. But after three consecutive victories, it's clear I'm going to do everything I can to keep this momentum going. Starting today, we're testing for Monte Carlo, and we're going to do everything we can from now on to bring the best possible car to Gap. And if that results in a win, that would be even better, although the main objective is to score as many points as possible, regardless of our finishing position in this first rally of the season.

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