Lancia has officially revealed the driver lineup for its long-awaited return to top-level rallying with the new Lancia Ypsilon Rally2 HF Integrale, marking a key milestone in the brand’s motorsport relaunch ahead of the 2026 season.
At the center of the project is the factory-backed Lancia Corse HF programme, which will compete on two strategic fronts: the FIA World Rally Championship WRC2 and the Italian Rally Championship (CIAR). The announced lineup underlines Lancia’s ambition to be immediately competitive at both international and national level.
For the global stage, Lancia has confirmed Nikolay Gryazin as one of its official drivers in the WRC2 category, alongside Yohan Rossel. Gryazin brings extensive Rally2 and WRC2 experience, as well as proven results across a wide variety of surfaces and events.
His role will be pivotal in the competitive debut of the new Rally2 car on the world stage, contributing both performance and high-level technical feedback during the early phases of the programme. Gryazin’s appointment highlights Lancia’s intent to immediately position itself among the reference manufacturers in Rally2 competition.
On the national front, Lancia has selected Andrea Crugnola to lead the brand’s return to the Campionato Italiano Assoluto Rally. Multiple-time Italian champion, Crugnola will campaign the Lancia Ypsilon Rally2 in CIAR, reinforcing the marque’s presence in one of Europe’s most competitive national championships.
His involvement ensures continuity between development, competition and brand visibility in Italy, a market historically and emotionally linked to Lancia’s rally heritage.
The announcement carries particular significance as both Gryazin and Crugnola are long-standing drivers developed through our training and performance programmes. Seeing two of our drivers selected to lead a factory Lancia Rally2 effort, at both WRC2 and CIAR level, is a strong validation of a development philosophy built on long-term progression, data-driven coaching and real-world competition experience.
With a clear separation between its international and national programmes, Lancia is adopting a structured and sustainable approach to its motorsport comeback. The combination of world-class Rally2 talent and top-level national champions provides a solid foundation for the technical and sporting growth of the Rally2 HF Integrale platform.
As the 2026 season approaches, the newly announced lineup confirms Lancia’s intent not only to return to rallying, but to do so with credibility, competitiveness and a clear vision for the future.