Thierry Neuville shared an emotional moment on his Instagram Story last weekend. "THE LAST test in the Rally1 car," he wrote, adding a sad emoji. The Belgian driver had just completed his pre-event test for Rally Sardinia, which will mark the final appearance of the Rally1 generation in the World Rally Championship (WRC).
The WRC's technical regulations will undergo a major overhaul after this season. Starting in 2027, Rally1 cars will be replaced by new machines built to WRC27 regulations based on Rally2 technology. Rally2 cars fitted with a separate upgrade kit will also be eligible to compete in the top class. As a result, performance will take a significant step backwards compared to the Rally1 era.
For Neuville, Rally1 is more than just a race car. Behind the wheel of the Hyundai i20 N Rally1, he clinched the only world championship title of his career in 2024. At that time, the car still used a hybrid unit that provided an extra boost. However, after the 2024 season, the hybrid units were dropped, and Rally1 lost one of its defining features.
Rally Sardinia is scheduled for 1–4 October. Originally, the 2026 season was set to conclude in Saudi Arabia in November, but the round was cancelled due to the security situation in the Middle East. Thus, Sardinia becomes both the season finale and the farewell stage for Rally1.
In Sardinia, the world championship battle will involve the Toyota trio: Elfyn Evans, Sami Pajari, and Oliver Solberg. Meanwhile, Neuville currently sits seventh in the WRC standings, far from where he hoped to be. Nevertheless, he remains eager to contest the final rally with the car that carried him to the top.
This regulatory change marks a new era for the WRC. The WRC27 cars based on Rally2 are expected to be slower but are intended to reduce costs and open opportunities for more teams. However, for fans and drivers alike, losing Rally1 means losing one of the symbols of extreme speed in world rallying.
Neuville is not alone in feeling this sadness. Many in the paddock regard Rally1 as the pinnacle of rally car evolution. With the disappearance of hybrid power and the shift to a Rally2 base, the WRC will enter a different chapter where efficiency and close competition are prioritized over raw power.
As of now, Neuville has not made an official statement about his future. But that "last test" moment serves as a reminder that every era must end. Sardinia will witness how Neuville and his rivals say goodbye to Rally1 before stepping into an uncertain future.
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