Nikolay Gryazin targets Rally Japan challenge with the Lancia Ypsilon Rally2 HF Integrale

• In round seven of the FIA World Rally Championship, Nikolay Gryazin will compete aboard the Lancia Ypsilon Rally2 HF Integrale
• The 28-year-old is among the most experienced drivers on Japanese roads, with one WRC2 victory and two runner-up finishes in the last three editions
• 20 special stages and 302 competitive kilometres for round seven of the WRC season
• Twisting roads and constantly changing weather conditions set to define the Rally Japan challenge
  

Nikolay Gryazin will take the Lancia Ypsilon Rally2 HF Integrale into round seven of the FIA World Rally Championship at Rally Japan, scheduled from 28 to 31 May across the Aichi and Gifu prefectures. The 28-year-old Bulgarian-licensed driver is among the most experienced competitors on the demanding Japanese stages, having claimed victory in WRC2 in 2024 alongside two second-place finishes in the 2023 and previous editions of the event.

Every centimetre counts at Rally Japan, an event renowned for its narrow and highly technical roads featuring very few straight sections. The stages are characterised by an endless sequence of tight corners and constantly evolving grip levels, while the weather in Japan’s mountainous regions can change dramatically within minutes, adding another layer of complexity for crews and teams.

Gryazin, after WRC round 6, currently sits seventh in the drivers’ championship. Together with co-driver Konstantin Aleksandrov, the Bulgarian driver will look to capitalise on the absence of several key rivals in the WRC2 title fight.

Rally Japan gets underway on the evening of Thursday 28 May with the ceremonial start, before crews tackle six special stages and 108 competitive kilometres on Friday 29 May. One of the first major challenges will be the brand-new Asuke stage, making its debut in the rally itinerary with 12.9 kilometres of narrow and technical roads, followed by the iconic 24-kilometre Isegami’s Tunnel stage, famous for its rock walls and extremely tight sections.

Saturday features eight special stages totalling 120.22 kilometres, concluding with the double run of the Fujioka Super Special Stage, a 3.19-kilometre spectator-friendly test where the passionate Japanese fans are expected to create a spectacular atmosphere. Rally Japan is widely regarded as one of the most enthusiastically attended events on the WRC calendar, with thousands of spectators lining both the stages and road sections to greet the championship stars.

The rally concludes on Sunday 31 May with the final six special stages and 74.06 kilometres against the clock, which will decide the winners of round seven of the FIA World Rally Championship.

Didier Clément – Team Principal, Lancia Corse HF
“This will be a particularly demanding rally, with very strong competition despite a smaller field than usual. The level is extremely high, and we know we will need to be fully focused from start to finish. The whole team is ready to give its maximum effort to support Nikolay and Konstantin and fight for the best possible result”

Lancia
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