Citroën WRC2 regular set to lead sister brand's challenge next year but wants to keep his future options open
Photography by Red Bull
Words by Alasdair Lindsay, Head of Digital Strategy
Yohan Rossel, one of the protagonists of the WRC2 title fight until Oliver Solberg clinched the crown on Rally Chile, is expected to switch to Lancia for 2026 – but already has one eye on what comes after.
Citroën has employed Rossel as its lead factory driver in rallying’s second tier since 2022, effectively replacing Mads Østberg as the most senior driver in its roster. He won the WRC3 title in a Saintéloc-run C3 in 2021.
As reported by DirtFish, Citroën is expected to be replaced by Lancia as Stellantis’ main factory-backed effort in WRC2 for 2026; both brands fall under the group’s umbrella, which also includes Peugeot.
Rossel confirmed that he won’t be back in a C3 Rally2 next season.
“I think it’s clear for everybody that it’s my last [WRC] event with the Citroën after six years,” Rossel told DirtFish in Chile.
“For me the plan [was] just to do the maximum and to have the best option for next year and also for 2027.”
Stellantis customer racing boss Didier Clément implied to DirtFish that he would like to see Rossel transition to spearheading Lancia’s WRC2 activities in 2026, saying that Stellantis’ “support for official drivers like Yohan [Rossel], for example, will swap to Lancia.”
While Rossel indicated driving for such a storied rally brand was enticing, he also wanted to ensure a top-level drive was still possible for 2027.
“For me the plan is just to have a good vision on 2027,” said Rossel.
“Everybody knows the relation I have with Stellantis. It helped me a lot every time when I started the rally and, for sure, it will be a dream to be a factory driver in Lancia. But we need to see every option.”
Words:Alasdair Lindsay
Tags: Citroen, Lancia Ypsilon Rally2, WRC, WRC 2025, WRC 2026, Yohan Rossel
Publish Date September 29, 2025 DirtFish
Up Next