Argomenti trattati
The motorsport world received a clear message when Lancia re-entered rally competition with its latest models. The spotlight fell on the Lancia Ypsilon Rally2 HF Integrale, which recorded immediate success in two different national events. Behind the victories stood experienced pilots and a freshly engineered package, combining chassis, drivetrain and team strategy to produce decisive margins. Observers noted not only the headline wins but also how the program revived attention around the brand’s historic competition activities.
These debut results spanned distinct formats and fields, from the opening round of the Italian national series to a classic asphalt event in northern France. The campaigns involved both factory-backed entries and cars run by specialist teams, showcasing how the new Ypsilon can be competitive in multiple hands and setups. Alongside the Rally2 flagship, the range included the Ypsilon HF Racing Rally6, which also made a promising first appearance and hinted at depth in the model lineup.
Decisive victory at the Italian opener
At Rally Il Ciocco, the first event of the Campionato Italiano Assoluto Rally (CIAR), the pairing of Andrea Crugnola and Luca Beltrame steered the Rally2 HF Integrale to a clean triumph. After taking the lead early in the day, they managed the gap through the remaining special stages and crossed the finish with a margin of 17.8 seconds over their nearest rivals. The result revived a proud narrative for Lancia in the Italian series: the win marked an important milestone for the marque and its supporting teams, underlining the car’s competitive balance between pace and reliability.
French dominance at Le Touquet
Across the border at the Rallye Le Touquet Pas-de-Calais, the event produced an even larger margin of victory. French drivers Yoann Bonato and Benjamin Boulloud piloted the same Rally2 HF Integrale specification to a commanding lead, finishing almost 80 seconds clear of the field. Their performance emphasized the car’s adaptability to different road surfaces and event tempos, as Le Touquet’s mix of coastal asphalt and fast sectors demands precision and setup versatility. The pair’s rhythm and the car’s mechanical grip combined to deliver a comprehensive weekend.
Implications for Lancia Corse Hf and the competitive landscape
The twin successes in Italy and France carry implications beyond trophies. For the Lancia program, immediate competitive returns validate development choices and strengthen the case for broader international campaigning. Technical teams can point to consistent results as proof of a sound design philosophy, while privateers will view the model as a viable option for national championships. The momentum also benefits the brand’s sporting narrative, creating opportunities for customer entries and enhanced visibility at events across Europe.
Technical and sporting insights
From a technical standpoint, the Rally2 concept embodied by the Ypsilon Rally2 HF Integrale proved effective: the package balanced power delivery, traction management and chassis dynamics to suit both tight Italian stages and high-speed French stretches. The use of Rally2 homologation standards ensured parity with rival machinery while allowing Lancia engineers to tailor suspension, differential and aerodynamic elements. Sportingly, experienced crews like Andrea Crugnola added strategic stage management that converted raw pace into a sustained advantage, demonstrating that driver-team synergy remains decisive.
Trofeo Lancia, junior ranks and Rally6 debut
The Italian round also highlighted the growing footprint of the Trofeo Lancia, which represented 27% of the event entry and produced a tightly contested subclass among 17 crews. Within that framework, Simone Di Giovanni with Andrea Colapietro took class honors ahead of Edoardo De Antoni and Moreno Cambiaghi, while junior and expert categories produced standout names: Nicolò Ardizzone with Valentina Pasini topped the Junior list and Christian Casadei with Nadir Bionaz prevailed among Expert competitors. Meanwhile, the Ypsilon HF Racing Rally6 made its competitive debut with Lorenzo Verasco and Isabel Gross delivering a promising performance, signaling potential growth pathways for drivers moving through the classes.
Collectively, the results represent an encouraging start for Lancia’s renewed motorsport effort. The combination of immediate wins, solid class showings and a successful Rally6 introduction provides a platform to expand entries and refine the car for broader campaigns. For fans and teams, the return adds intrigue to upcoming rounds and raises expectations that the Ypsilon family will be a regular contender at national and regional rallies.