The FIA and the WRC promoter have decided on extensive changes for the Junior World Championship 2027. The biggest incentive awaits the future titleholder: for the 2028 season he will receive a WRC2 programme with seven world championship rounds in a Rally2 car. Until now the winner's package comprised only four events.
With three additional entries the step up to the next category is intended to be eased. Young drivers will therefore have more time to acclimatise to the more powerful Rally2 cars and to gain experience on different special stages.
"One of my most important goals was to make the World Rally Championship more accessible and affordable at all levels," says FIA vice-president Malcolm Wilson. The expanded winner's package is intended to give young drivers better opportunities to establish themselves in WRC2.
Five rallies, finale in Scotland
The calendar has also been revised. The Junior WRC will consist of five events in 2027, taking place exclusively in Europe. This eliminates costly overseas trips and complex vehicle transports.
The season begins in February on snow and ice in Sweden. It is then followed by the asphalt tests in Croatia and Italy, before moving on to the fast gravel stages of Finland. The finale takes place at the end of September at the new Rally Scotland.
| Date | Rally | Surface |
|---|---|---|
| 18 – 21 February | Rally Sweden | snow/ice |
| 8 – 11 April | Rally Croatia | asphalt |
| 8 – 11 July | Rally d'Italia | asphalt |
| 29 July – 1 August | Rally Finland | Gravel |
| 30 September – 3 October | Rally Scotland | Gravel |
Dropped score replaces double points at the finale
Another change affects the points allocation. Going forward only the four best results from the five events will count toward the final championship standings. This allows competitors to offset a weak event or a retirement.
However, participation in the finale in Scotland remains mandatory in order to be counted in the championship. The previous rule of double points at the last round has been abolished. In Scotland there will therefore be as many points on offer as at the other four rallies.
Additional financial relief is promised by tyre partner Hankook. The manufacturer will provide Junior WRC competitors with a quota of free tyres during the season. How many tyres each team will receive has not yet been announced.
Junior WRC head Maciej Woda announces that participation in 2027 will be overall cheaper than in the current season. At the same time the value of the winner's package has risen significantly. For the young drivers the effort should pay off more, because the championship victory will, for the first time, enable a WRC2 program over seven WRC rounds.
