The 30-year-old British driver claimed the European Rally Championship title in 2019. During the 2021 and 2022 seasons, Ingram became a familiar figure in the WRC driving a Skoda Rally2 car, but he constantly faced financial challenges.
Last year, Ingram won the British Rally Championship. His title-winning season was unique as he competed with two different cars: initially with a Volkswagen Polo R5 and later in the season with a Toyota Rally2 car. At the end of the season, he also participated in Rally Japan’s WRC2 category but was forced to retire.
Now, Ingram has announced a temporary break from special stages. The decision is tied to a joyful milestone.
“By far, the most life-changing moment of 2024 was discovering I’m going to become a father. Becoming a dad feels like stepping into a higher purpose that fills me with gratitude and awe,” Ingram shared in a Facebook post.
“With his arrival due just before Rallye Monte Carlo, I’ve chosen to step back from competition to fully embrace this sacred moment. While my passion for rallying remains as strong as ever, nothing compares to this blessing.”
Ingram has made it clear he hasn’t abandoned his dream of becoming a top driver in the WRC. He revealed he’s been working on a new project to complement his driving career.
Ingram plans to return to rallying after the pause.
“When the time is right, Alex (co-driver Alexander Kihurani) and I will return stronger, guided by the lessons of our short yet incredibly successful partnership so far, and I will personally return fueled by a renewed sense of purpose. The goal remains clear: to be ready for the WRC regulation changes in 2027,” Ingram wrote.
Ingram refers to the upcoming changes in WRC’s top class, where new cars will be introduced in two years. In December, the FIA announced that the current Rally1 cars are set to be replaced with significantly cheaper vehicles, more closely aligned with the technology of the current Rally2 cars.
