Rally Monza to replace Japan as 2021 WRC finale
Rally Monza will replace the recently cancelled Rally Japan as the final round of the 2021 World Rally Championship.
The Italian event had been expected to slot into the November slot vacated by Rally Japan after organisers confirmed the cancellation of the rally earlier this week for the second consecutive year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Rally Monza’s return to the WRC calendar was announced during the WRC Live coverage of the final stage of the Acropolis Rally. The event will take place on November 19-21.
The Italian rally hosted the final round of last year’s COVID-19 impacted calendar and was won by Toyota’s Sebastien Ogier, who secured a seventh world title in the process.
Details regarding the formats and stages of the 2021 edition of the rally, that will incorporate the famous Monza circuit, are yet to be announced.
Confirmation of Monza’s inclusion on the calendar ensures there will be three remaining events of the season with the championship set to head to Finland and Spain in October.
While WRC teams and local marque Toyota in particular are saddened not to be heading to Japan this year, organisers are hopeful the event will take place next year.
"I take this opportunity to also express my heartfelt gratitude to all who worked so tirelessly in order to make this event possible,” said Rally Japan Executive committee chairman Satoshi Suzuki.
"We are determined to do our best in order to overcome this COVID-19 pandemic and successfully be able to hold the WRC in Japan in 2022. I pray for the safety of all.”
The WRC has already released a partial 2022 calendar of nine events, with six rallies set to fight over the four remaining spots on the schedule.
The only dates confirmed for 2022 are those belonging to the Monte Carlo Rally (January 20-23) and Rally Sweden (February 24-27).
A further seven events have been confirmed on the calendar: Portugal, Italy, Kenya, Spain, Japan, Estonia and Greece. Dates and the order of events are yet to be announced.
Rallies currently absent from the schedule that feature on this year’s calendar include Croatia, Finland, Arctic Rally Finland and Belgium (Ypres Rally), while Motorsport.com understands there is still an active bid to bring the WRC back to Great Britain built around a potential Tarmac event in Northern Ireland.
Be part of Motorsport community
Join the conversationShare Or Save This Story
Related video
Hyundai enacts contingency plan after WRC Kenya fuel issue
WRC 2025 rules limbo creating “critical” situation for teams
How Rovanpera showed his class above his WRC rivals in Kenya
How real-time scrutineering ensures fair and consistent competition in motorsport
The day Button scored his 'best F1 win'... until next time!
New compound to thwart Porsche’s inspired Long Beach ‘no tires’ call
Surging Chase Briscoe says a win "is right around the corner"
How Rovanpera showed his class above his WRC rivals in Kenya
How a new 'old' challenge is capturing the spirit of British rallying lore
How Lappi survived Swedish snow carnage to snap his lengthy WRC drought
The new WRC highs Neuville reached to defeat Monte master Ogier
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments