One of rallying's most storied names is threading its way back into the World Rally Championship, and an American will be among those carrying it. Conner Martell will make his WRC debut at the Acropolis Rally Greece, driving a Lancia Ypsilon Rally2 HF Integrale run by 2C Competition — the first of three rounds, alongside Finland and Sardinia, on his 2026 programme.
"I am very excited to start this new chapter in my career. It's an incredible feeling to be a part of Lancia and Stellantis," Martell said. Stepping up from the French Gravel Championship, where he campaigned a Skoda, he framed the move as a long-held ambition. "The WRC will be the true testing ground for my skill set. It has always been a dream of mine to compete at the pinnacle of rally racing," he said. "I hope to make America proud."
Alongside him, veteran co-driver Alex Gelsomino returns to the championship after several years away. "I am stoked to be back in WRC after several years, and on top of that with a brand like Lancia. Being born and raised in Italy, that means a lot to me," Gelsomino said, leaning on the marque's heritage. "Lancia is not only one of the legendary names in our sport, but was also winning world championships when I was a teenager."
The debut comes with Lancia's comeback already gathering pace. After a tentative Monte Carlo opener, Yohan Rossel and Arnaud Dunand won April's Croatia round in WRC2 — Lancia's first rally win in 33 years. "It's been a fantastic rally, for us and for the team. We knew that Lancia's ambition this year was to come back strongly in the WRC," Rossel said. The Frenchman admitted the result was a relief after a difficult start to the season. "After Monte Carlo it was a bit difficult for me, as it wasn't the result I was expecting, but here in Croatia, at this second round, everything was perfect." His verdict was blunt: "We are back."
Lancia Corse team principal Didier Clement read the win as proof of intent. "Following an extremely encouraging Monte Carlo Rally, both drivers managed this weekend to navigate the pitfalls to achieve an exceptional result," he said. He pointed to the field-wide pace, noting that Rossel's victory and Nikolay Gryazin's third place showed "that, in terms of performance, a one-two finish was assured."
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*Originally published on [Motorsports Global](https://motorsports.global/article/lancia-back-in-the-wrc-martell-to-debut-at-the-acropolis). Visit for full coverage.*
