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Despite Seat departed from the championship at the end of 2000 season, entry lists did not shrink. Ford and Peugeot routinely ran three cars and Subaru even four at times while Mitsubishi, Skoda and Hyundai mostly two but occasionally more. Add to that four events where Citroen was present and season was quite exciting.
New events were not seen nor old ones thrown away. One of the curiosities of the season was that on two occasions rally winner did not score points for the team. Harri Rovanpera drove third, non-nominated Peugeot in Sweden and Jesus Puras won Corsica but Citroen was not eligible for manufacturers points.
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After narrow defeat in previous season, Burns collected drivers' title with single win though three other drivers scored three wins each. Championship was fiercely fought and four drivers came to final rally of the season with real chances for the title.
Peugeot took manufacturers title again but difficult early season made it all but easy. Title was finally clinched in Great Britain when Ford withdrew Sainz and Higgins after accident involving spectators.
In inaugural Super 1600 Cup Sebastien Loeb was in a league of his own, winning all five events he started and even had time to make guest appearance with Citroen Xsara WRC in San Remo where he finished second overall.
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Mitsubishi introduced two new cars during the season, mildly updated Lancer Evo 6.5 in Monte Carlo and then radically new but hugely disappointing Lancer WRC in San Remo. More successful debut was new Citroen Xsara WRC which made first official WRC entry in Catalunya after years in development.
Subaru launched four-door Impreza WRC2001 in Monte Carlo but besides bodyshell there was little new on the car. Ford uprated Focus WRC, Hyundai evolutionized Accent WRC to second generation and Skoda did same with Octavia WRC. Also Peugeot introduced new version of already successful 206WRC.
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2001 FIA World Rally Champions, Richard Burns and Robert Reid
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Drivers scoring their
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first win
H. Rovanpera (Sweden)
J. Puras (Corsica)
first drivers' point
G. Pozzo (Safari)
S. Loeb (San Remo)
first stage win
H. Gassner (Monte Carlo)
M. Martin (Acropolis)
S. Loeb (San Remo)
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