Project RallyOne has submitted its official homologation dossier to the FIA, securing the path for two cars to compete in the 2027 Rallye Monte-Carlo.
The Belgian team, led by Lionel Hansen and managed by Alain Penasse, confirmed the filing as they prepare for the World Rally Championship season opener scheduled for January 21–24, 2027, according to The Shield Of Sports.
This entry joins the WRC under the updated Rally1 regulations. The team finalized the paperwork following an intensive two-day asphalt testing program in France, focusing on the specialized demands of the season’s opening stage before shifting development toward loose-surface events.
Technical development and VAG engine integration
The team’s new vehicle incorporates a bespoke engine concept developed from a Group VAG unit, paired with custom-engineered components and an upgraded transmission system. Development efforts have centered on these mechanical adjustments, which the team aims to prove against established WRC manufacturers.
Recent testing near Saint-Dié-des-Vosges saw nine-time world champion Sébastien Loeb and French driver Stéphane Lefebvre alternate behind the wheel to refine the car’s setup. Both drivers provided feedback on the new transmission and engine integration during these sessions, providing the team with data for the final stages of the homologation process.
Stéphane Lefebvre and the driver lineup
While the team has confirmed its intent to field two cars, the full driver lineup remains unannounced. Lefebvre is considered the primary candidate for one of the seats, given his central role in the car’s development and testing throughout the project’s gestation.
Sébastien Loeb would have to skip Dakar to do Monte Carlo 🗓️ Loeb has already told DirtFish not to expect him at the WRC 2027 opener, and Dakar's revised location and date now makes it a near impossibility 👇 pic.twitter.com/Mxbx1MGnzE
The status of Sébastien Loeb remains unlikely for the Monte Carlo event. Aside from the driver’s own public skepticism regarding his participation, the scheduling of the 2027 Dakar Rally in Portugal and Morocco—which concludes on Saturday, January 23—creates an unavoidable conflict for the Frenchman.
Loeb has already informed DirtFish that his involvement in the WRC season opener is not to be expected, noting that the revised dates and location of the Dakar Rally make his attendance at Monte Carlo a near impossibility, The Shield Of Sports reported.
Strategic entry into the 2027 season
The arrival of a private constructor like Project RallyOne is seen as a development for the WRC, providing additional depth to the field. By completing the FIA’s bureaucratic requirements and moving forward with a competitive powertrain, the team is set to debut at the Monte Carlo event before assessing its performance trajectory for the remainder of the 2027 calendar.
The team’s next official milestone will be the start of the Rallye Monte-Carlo on January 21, 2027.
Related reading
