Kajetan Kajetanowicz remains on the special stages in 2026, representing the ORLEN Rally Team. The most successful Polish rally driver will compete in both the World Rally Championship and in national rallies. However, this year he will not complete full campaign in either series. The first start is scheduled for Croatia Rally, held in April.
Following a dominant streak in his national championship and unprecedented three consecutive titles in the European Rally Championship, Kajetan Kajetanowicz made a move to the World Rally Championship in 2018. Thanks to the support of long-time partners ORLEN S.A., Delphi, and ORLEN OIL, the Polish driver has been able to leave his mark in the most important rally series, becoming the only Pole to compete regularly at this level in recent years and repaying their trust with numerous successes. Kajetan won the WRC2 Challenger title in 2023 and claimed six top-three finishes in his category over eight seasons of competition in the World Rally Championship.
Annual battles with the best competitors in the world, often against drivers backed by automotive giants, require enormous resources, including financial backing. These things in rallies are no less important than talent and hard work. Right tools and proper preparation are essential to give yourself a chance against strong rivals. Well aware that taking half-measures is not the way to go in professional competition, Kajetanowicz has announced his plans for this season.
Poland’s most successful rally driver remains on special stages, but with reduced programme for the 2026 campaign. Budget raised for this season will not allow him to compete in a full World Rally Championship season. However, thanks to the trust of his key partners, Kajetanowicz will not give up competing at top level. Reduced intensity of his programme will allow him to temporarily reduce the workload, to dedicate more time to his loved ones, especially his two children, and to explore the revolutionary technical changes to the World Rally Championship, announced for next year. Their implementation will make the competition more accessible to a wider range of drivers, including those from privateer teams.
Kajetanowicz will compete not only in the World Rally Championship rounds in the 2026 season. He will also appear on special stages in Poland, which will surely delight Polish rally fans.
I have dedicated the vast majority of my life to motorsport. Together with my partners, we have built a team that can successfully compete with the best in Europe and around the world, sharing plenty of joy with the fans. Now, the ORLEN Rally Team faces another season, a different one from recent ones. Competing in the World Rally Championship involves enormous, ever-increasing expenses, necessary to give yourself a chance to compete against top drivers. I always tell my children: if you do something, do it in the best possible way. And of course, I am also committed to these wise words. There will be fewer starts but, as always, I want to prepare well for them.
I try to look for positive things in every situation, and it is no different this time. Competing in the World Rally Championship, I am racing against the stopwatch not only on the special stages and for many years I was just a guest at home, unable to fully participate in the lives of my loved ones. My love and passion for rallying have not diminished but this temporary reduction of intensity for sure can bring positives and my part-time programme can be satisfying. We will take part in the World Rally Championship series on a limited basis, also considering the forthcoming changes in the WRC technical regulations. I will also have more opportunities to meet Polish fans and that makes me particularly happy. Thanks to my long-time partners, for sure there will be plenty of excitement, but it is too early to reveal all the details. I feel optimistic about the future and now I am focussing on what the coming weeks will bring. I am anxious to show you the new livery and I am looking forward to the first start of the season – Croatia Rally
– said Kajetan Kajetanowicz, the 2023 WRC2 Challenger champion.
Maciej Szczepaniak, experienced co-driver, remains alongside Kajetanowicz and the crew continues their adventure with Toyota GR Yaris Rally2, prepared and ran by RaceSeven – the Spanish tuner working with the Polish crew on their way to the 2023 WRC2 Challenger championship title. The livery remains a secret for now.
Kajetan Kajetanowicz has been cooperating with the Delphi brand for nearly a decade and our partnership became a fixed element of the brand’s presence in global motorsport. Kajetan’s consistency, professional approach and competitive ambitions for all those years have perfectly reflected the values Delphi aspires to be associated with. The 2026 season opens the next stage of our journey – with a more selective competitive programme but consistently at the highest level. As a partner, we are proud to support Kajetan Kajetanowicz in further development of his career, continuing long-standing commitment of Delphi to motorsport
– Sławomir Welezinski, PHINIA Delphi Regional Director for Eastern Europe, commented ahead of the season.
The ORLEN Rally Team will soon unveil this year’s livery of the Toyota GR Yaris Rally2. The fans will have a chance to watch the car in its new colours live during Croatia Rally, held on 9-12 April.
Starts of Kajetan Kajetanowicz are supported by title partner of the ORLEN Rally Team – ORLEN S.A., as well as by technical partner Delphi and ORLEN OIL.
