2017 World Rally Championship
The 2017 FIA World Rally Championship was the 45th season of the World Rally Championship, a rallying championship recognised by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) as the highest class of international rallying. Teams and crews contested in thirteen events—starting in Monte Carlo on 19 January and ending in Australia on 19 November—for the World Rally Championships for Drivers, Co-drivers and Manufacturers. Drivers were free to compete in cars complying with World Rally Car and Group R regulations; however, only Manufacturers competing with 2017-specification World Rally Cars were eligible to score points in the Manufacturers' championship. The series were supported by the WRC-2 and WRC-3 championships and the newly created WRC Trophy at every round, and by the Junior World Rally Championship at selected rounds.
Sébastien Ogier successfully defended the drivers' title.
M-Sport World Rally Team won their first World Championship title since 2007.
Toyota returned to the World Rally Championship in 2017 with the Toyota Yaris WRC.
A comparison between the 2016 Ford Fiesta RS WRC (top) and 2017 Ford Fiesta WRC (bottom) showing the more complex aerodynamic devices on the front of the car and the larger rear wings used in 2017.
The 2017 Rally Australia was the 13th and final round of the 2017 World Rally Championship. The rally was held over three days between 17 November and 19 November 2017, and was based in Coffs Harbour, Australia. Thierry Neuville and Nicolas Gilsoul were the rally winners.
Top 3 crews on the podium