Project Rally One, the new World Rally Championship constructor, has called on rallying legend Sebastien Loeb for another test session of its 2027 car ahead of a planned début at the Monte‑Carlo rally next year.
Loeb, a nine‑time world champion, joined the team’s regular test driver Stéphane Lefebvre to evaluate the car on asphalt around Saint‑Die‑des‑Vosges in France last week. This marks Loeb’s second outing with the vehicle after an earlier session in the preceding month.
Project Rally One has not yet finalised its driver line‑up for the upcoming season but aims to contest a partial WRC programme, starting with an expected two‑car entry at the season‑opening Rallye Monte‑Carlo 2027.
During development, the team has involved up to eight drivers, among them former factory WRC drivers Freddy Loix and Bruno Thiry. Newly crowned European rally champion Teemu Suninen led gravel testing last month.
The squad is moving closer to its goal after filing the required homologation papers with the FIA before the deadline, positioning itself for a potential two‑car participation in the 2027 event.
Project Rally One
Photo by: Project Rally One
“Project Rally One conducted another two‑day tarmac test session around Saint‑Die‑des‑Vosges in France earlier this week. Sebastien Loeb and Stéphane Lefebvre were the respective drivers,” the team said in a statement.
“Both drivers praised recent upgrades, including a completely new engine concept based on a VAG Group unit with dedicated components, as well as significant improvements to the transmission.”
The homologation dossier was submitted on time, confirming that Rally One should be eligible for a two‑car entry at Rallye Monte‑Carlo 2027. No drivers have been announced for the event yet, and discussions with potential partners are ongoing.
Project Rally One is one of two new tuner teams expected to contest selected WRC rounds next year, the other being Spain’s RMC Motorsport, which is set to reveal its 2027 car in the coming weeks.
