WRC Preview: Rally Islas Canarias
- Olivia Kairu
- 3 hours ago
- 3 min read
The World Rally Championship (WRC) arrives in Gran Canaria for Round 5 of the 2026 season, carrying momentum from a dramatic Rally Croatia that once again underlined the razor-thin margins on asphalt. Continuing the tarmac run from the roads of Zagreb, the focus shifts to Spain for the 50th anniversary of Rally Islas Canarias. The 206 mile (322 km) route covers 18 stages across the island, where drivers will manoeuvre winding roads, threading between volcanic mountains and along the coastline, demanding careful tyre management to handle constant elevation changes. Unlike Croatia’s often unpredictable grip, the Canary Islands typically offer consistent but abrasive asphalt, placing greater emphasis on tyre wear and long-run management for the Hankook Ventus Z215 slicks.
Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT’s driver Takamoto Katsuta heads into the event with back-to-back victories at the top of the WRC standings for the first time in his career. The Japanese driver spoke of his excitement to take on the scenic route with hopes of gaining a hat-trick and extending his lead in the drivers’ championship.
“I enjoyed Rally Islas Canarias a lot last year, and I’m really looking forward to being back. It’s very different to Croatia, but it’s very nice to drive,” he said.
“At the same time, there is absolutely no room for error because everybody is driving absolutely on the limit, so a small mistake can cost you a lot, even if it’s only a few tenths or one second. It will be nice to be the first car on the road on Friday, even though it’s less of an advantage there because there is not much cutting, and the roads stay quite clean. I will try my best and maybe get some tips from my friend Kalle Rovanperä, who was very fast there last year.”
Trailing closely behind the Toyota GR team in Croatia was Hyundai Shell Mobis WRT, where driver Hayden Paddon was able to secure a third-place finish. However, the focus is pulled toward the return of Dani Sordo as the team gears up to welcome the three-time winner back to the series for his home rall. This comes after a near two-year hiatus from Rally1 since his second-place finish at the 2024 Acropolis Rally Greece.
“Honestly, I am really excited to be back in the Rally1 car and with the team at Hyundai. I’m really looking forward to it, and I am also excited to be back at Rally Islas Canarias for only the second time since 2005,” Sordo spoke of his excitement in making a return to WRC.
“My target is to achieve a good set-up with the car and to try to fight for a good result, the podium for sure, but when I start any rally, I always target the victory, so why not? Also in Spain and on tarmac, why not go for the win?”
Teams will need to brace for unpredictable conditions around Las Palmas, where rapidly changing coastal weather can complicate tyre choice and stage strategy around the Estadio de Gran Canaria. Thursday opens the event with a super special stage. Friday features two loops of three mountain stages with a repeated stage closing the day’s action. Saturday is the longest day, featuring two full loop runs of three stages each. Sunday finishes the rally with two repeated tests that determine the final order.
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