MARTELL SET FOR WRC DEBUT AS 2C EXPANDS LANCIA WRC2 PROGRAMME

American Driver To Join Léo Rossel In Two-Car Lancia Assault At Acropolis Rally Greece

American rally driver Conner Martell is set to make his FIA World Rally Championship debut later this month after confirming a three-event WRC2 campaign with 2C Junior Team and Lancia.

The 29-year-old from Vermont will compete in the WRC2 category aboard a Lancia Ypsilon Rally2 HF Integrale at EKO Acropolis Rally Greece, one of the most demanding gravel events on the championship calendar. Martell will be partnered by experienced co-driver Alex Gelsomino.

The Acropolis Rally marks the opening round of Martell’s planned three-event WRC programme for 2026, with starts at Rally Italia Sardegna and Secto Rally Finland also scheduled later in the season.

Martell joins an expanded 2C Junior Team line-up that will feature two Lancia entries in Greece. He will be joined by French WRC2 title contender Léo Rossel and co-driver Guillaume Mercoiret, who will also switch to the Italian manufacturer for the event.

Rossel arrives in Greece as one of the leading drivers in this year's WRC2 championship battle. The Frenchman secured victory at Rallye Monte-Carlo and followed it up with a runner-up finish in Croatia, placing himself firmly in title contention.

For Martell, the move represents a significant step in a career that has included rallycross and stage rally competition across the United States before expanding into European rallying with 2C Competition.

His European preparations have included appearances in the French Gravel Rally Championship alongside Gelsomino. The pair also impressed on Martell’s European debut last season, finishing second overall at Rallye Terre de Vaucluse.

"I'm super excited to be heading to the WRC. It's always been a dream of mine and I never thought I'd get the chance to compete over in Europe, especially in the WRC."

Martell also highlighted the opportunity to represent Lancia, one of rallying's most historic manufacturers, while continuing his relationship with the 2C organisation.

"To be with a team like Lancia, with its history, and to have 2C running the team is incredible. It is less of a big change for me to stay with 2C because we work really well together, so I think we'll be able to do well with the car and hopefully have some good results."

Despite the excitement surrounding his debut, Martell remains realistic about the challenge ahead. The Acropolis Rally is widely regarded as one of the toughest events in world rallying due to its rough terrain, high temperatures and punishing stages.

"I definitely don't know what to expect or where we should be looking as far as position. But I'm just excited for the challenge and to see where we stand against some of the best in the world."

"It's also pretty incredible to be one of only three American drivers to compete at this level in the WRC in the past 25 years."

While immediate results may not be the primary target, Martell's debut will provide an important benchmark against the world's leading Rally2 competitors and offer an early indication of his potential on the international stage.

KEY POINTS

• Conner Martell will make his FIA World Rally Championship debut at EKO Acropolis Rally Greece.

• The American driver will compete in WRC2 with 2C Junior Team.

• Martell will drive a Lancia Ypsilon Rally2 HF Integrale.

• Experienced co-driver Alex Gelsomino will join Martell for the programme.

• The campaign includes Acropolis Rally Greece, Rally Italia Sardegna and Secto Rally Finland.

• Léo Rossel and Guillaume Mercoiret will form the second Lancia entry for 2C Junior Team.

• Rossel currently remains among the leading contenders in the 2026 WRC2 title race.

• Martell becomes one of only a handful of American drivers to compete in WRC2 at world championship level in recent decades.