More events like Monza Rally Show would be “nice” for WRC

The World Rally Championship may gain advantage from internet hosting exhibition-style occasions such because the Monza Rally Present, in keeping with Toyota workforce principal Jari-Matti Latvala.

All three WRC Rally1 groups attended a revived Monza Rally Present earlier this month, which acted as a celebration of the 2024 season, whereas additionally paying tribute to Pirelli’s four-year stint because the championship’s management tyre provider.

The Monza Rally Present has constructed up a robust following since its debut in 1978, repeatedly attracting motorsport’s greatest names, with MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi a report seven-time occasion winner. 

This yr’s revamped occasion witnessed crowds flock to see the WRC’s elite go face to face on the Monza circuit’s well-known phases, with Adrien Fourmaux taking the victory from new world champion Thierry Neuville within the Masters Present.

Latvala, who was among the many WRC drivers competing, believes the idea was a hit and feels an occasion of this nature might be a superb match right into a future WRC calendar. 

This yr the WRC has dabbled with occasion format adjustments with the introduction of a extra condensed 48-hour idea at Rally Sardinia.  

“I’ve actually loved it, it has been good to drive, and coming right here to Italy the place there may be a number of followers has truly been actually cool,” mentioned Latvala. 

Monza Rally Present

Photograph by: Monza Rally Present

“I believe we may have [something] within the championship, and for me all of the occasions don’t must be the identical, so a number of the occasions we may have a sprint-type occasion like this in Monza, extra like a present. 

“If we now have 13 or 14 championship rallies we may have possibly two or three brief occasions, two days and have a present, however nonetheless have some competitors. I believe it could be a pleasant factor for the championship.”

Hyundai’s Neuville can also be a fan of the occasion however feels the championship ought to concentrate on bettering different areas earlier than switching its consideration to including an exhibition-style spherical to its schedule. 

“It’s enjoyable, I’ve been to Monza many instances, it’s good,” Neuville instructed Autosport.

“I don’t know [if the WRC should do more of these events]. It’s good to have one thing on the finish of the season and possibly in the beginning of the yr to launch the season, however total I’d say we now have different issues that we have to kind first and we have to concentrate on.”

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