WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP 2025
|
2025
|
25-01-24 Masterful Neuville Lights Up WRC Monte-Carlo Opener
TDefending champion leads after Sébastien Ogier spins on Thursday.
Defending WRC champion Thierry Neuville led under the stars of Rallye Monte-Carlo on Thursday evening, thrilling the thousands of fans who lined the alpine roads north-west of Monaco as early pacesetter Sébastien Ogier suffered a costly spin.
The 2025 FIA World Rally Championship season launched in spectacular fashion, starting with a ceremonial send-off at Monaco’s iconic Casino Square. From there, the competing crews – along with tens of thousands of fans - ascended into the French Alps for the opening trio of stages. The night-time action, illuminated by dazzling headlights and fireworks, was beamed to over 150 countries through more than 50 broadcasters and WRC’s flagship streaming platform, Rally.TV.
Chasing a record-extending 10th Monte-Carlo victory, Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 ace Ogier stamped his authority by posting consecutive fastest times for the opening two stages. However, the Frenchman’s hopes took a hit in the final test from Avançon to Notre-Dame-du-Laus. A wide slide into a fence post cost him over 20 seconds, dropping him to third.
Neuville, driving a Hyundai i20 N Rally1, capitalised on Ogier’s misstep to claim the overnight lead with a slender 2.0sec advantage over Elfyn Evans’ Toyota. Ogier, meanwhile, trailed 12.8sec further back in third.
The Belgian relied on Hankook’s newly developed Ventus Z215 super soft tyres, which performed reliably on a challenging mixture of dry and damp asphalt plus treacherous patches of ice.
“On the first part [of SS3] I was painting the road, and in the last part I was cleaning the road!” Neuville smiled. “Super tricky to keep it on the road. I’m happy with the first day. Overall, our target was to finish today.”
Ogier counted himself lucky to escape without major damage, saying: “[It was] difficult of course. A lot of mud on the road and we hit a pole sideways. It's always lucky to get away with that.”
Hyundai’s Ott Tänak kept things steady to secure fourth, 27.0sec adrift of Neuville’s lead. The Estonian overtook debuting team-mate Adrien Fourmaux on SS3, with the Frenchman ending just 3.0sec behind him.
A further 13.9sec back was two-time world champion Kalle Rovanperä, who returns to Toyota for a full-time campaign in 2025 after his part-time schedule last season. Rovanperä admitted his lack of recent experience in Monte-Carlo left him on the back foot as he ended the night down in sixth.
M-Sport Ford Puma Rally1 driver Grégoire Munster placed seventh, edging Takamoto Katsuta – who was battling a bout of the flu – by 4.5sec. Finnish talent Sami Pajari placed ninth as Nikolay Gryazin closed out the top 10 in a Škoda Fabia RS Rally2.
Citroën star Yohan Rossel was the highest-placed WRC2-registered driver. He claimed 11th overall ahead of Irishman Josh McErlean, who made a cautious but sensible start on his M-Sport Ford Puma Rally1 debut.
The rally continues on Friday with six challenging stages totalling over 100 competitive kilometres.
Standings after Thursday (SS3 /18):
1. T Neuville / M Wydaeghe BEL Hyundai i20 N 32m 58.8s
2. E Evans / S Martin GBR Toyota GR Yaris +2.0s
3. S Ogier / V Landais FRA Toyota GR Yaris +12.8s
4. O Tänak / M Järveoja EST Hyundai i20 N +27.0s
5. A Fourmaux / A Coria FRA Hyundai i20 N +30.0s
6. K Rovanperä / J Halttunen Toyota GR Yaris +43.9s
25-01-23 Iconic Rallye Monte-Carlo opens 2025 FIA World Rally Championship
World champion Neuville leads the charge into the WRC’s ultimate challenge.
The FIA World Rally Championship launches its 2025 season in spectacular fashion this week as Rallye Monte-Carlo (23 - 26 January) tests the world’s best drivers on its legendary and unforgiving stages.
Renowned as one of the most iconic and demanding fixtures on the calendar, Rallye Monte-Carlo’s mix of hairpin bends, high-altitude passes and unpredictable grip levels on surfaces ranging from dry asphalt to treacherous ice makes it one of the sport’s ultimate challenges. For crews and engineers, the weather forecast is just as important as the pace notes, with sudden changes able to rewrite the script in an instant.
At the heart of it all is reigning world champion Thierry Neuville, who begins his title defence in style. After a stellar 2024 season that saw him clinch his maiden crown, Neuville and co-driver Martijn Wydaeghe return to Monaco in their Hyundai i20 N Rally1 sporting the coveted number one.
Victory on this very event last year set the tone for their championship-winning campaign, but 2025 introduces an exciting new dynamic in Hankook Tires, debuting as the WRC’s exclusive supplier. Initial feedback from today’s shakedown, topped by Neuville’s team-mate Ott Tänak, confirms the South Korean brand is more than ready for the challenge of the WRC.
Hyundai Motorsport fields a three-car line-up with Neuville and Estonian star Tänak joined by rising talent Adrien Fourmaux. Fourmaux, fresh from a breakthrough 2024 season where he secured five podiums with M-Sport Ford, makes his debut with the team after an eye-catching off-season move.
Reigning manufacturers’ champions Toyota GAZOO Racing have upped the ante with a five-strong GR Yaris Rally1 squad. French legend Sébastien Ogier returns to chase an unprecedented 10th Rallye Monte-Carlo victory, supported by two-time world champion Kalle Rovanperä and Welsh ace Elfyn Evans. Additional cars will be piloted by Takamoto Katsuta and Sami Pajari, who captured last year’s WRC2 title and embarks on his first full campaign in rallying’s top tier alongside returning co-driver Marko Salminen.
Meanwhile, M-Sport Ford turns the spotlight on Grégoire Munster, now the British outfit's lead driver in his second full Rally1 season. Irishman Josh McErlean makes his debut in the top class after standout performances in WRC2, partnering Munster in the team’s second Puma Rally1.
Adding more intrigue to 2025 is a streamlined points system that puts a sharper emphasis on rally wins. Points will now be awarded to the top 10 finishers, with bonuses available for Super Sunday and Wolf Power Stage performances increasing the maximum score per rally to 35.
The rally officially starts on Thursday (23 January) afternoon in Monaco’s iconic Casino Square, followed by three gripping night-time stages through the French Alps. Competitors then face three more intense days of action before the rally concludes back in Monaco on Sunday afternoon.
The World Rally Championship (WRC) is the FIA’s premium rally series. It showcases high-performance cars and the world’s best drivers competing in dramatic surroundings, ranging from Sweden’s freezing winter to Kenya’s heat and rocky tracks. Participants battle for drivers’ and manufacturers’ titles at 14 rallies. More information can be found at www.wrc.com.
25-01-23 Solberg kör fullt VM-program i rally
För första gången kommer Oliver Solberg att köra alla tävlingar i rally-VM. Fjolårets silvermedaljör inleder jakten på VM-pokalen i WRC2-klassen med säsongsinledningen i Monte-Carlo på torsdag.
23-åringen inleder säsongen med ett nytt team och en ny bil. Solberg bytte nyligen till världens största biltillverkare i sitt försök att bli världsmästare med det finska Printsport-teamet. Han kommer att köra en Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 i WRC 2-klassen – vilket är sportens näst högsta nivå.
Utvecklingsarbetet på bilen har utförts av Toyota Gazoo Racing.
– Vi testade lite innan jul och sista veckan innan säsongsstart och har redan en bra uppfattning om hur Toyotan går. Den känns riktigt bra, är snabb, skön att köra och helt klart en trecylindrig motor. Den sista var lite annorlunda.
Årets VM-resa startar från Casino Square i Monaco på torsdag. Den traditionella tävlingen startar från Medelhavskusten, upp genom snön och isen i de franska Alperna och avslutas tillbaka i solskenet fyra dagar senare.
– Efter testerna vi har gjort och tiden med alla från Printsport känner jag mig redo för Monte-Carlo och det kommande året. Det var skönt att ta lite semester för att ladda batterierna, men jag tror att alla vet att den här sporten aldrig är långt borta från mig.
För första gången tävlar 23-åringen i hela mästerskapet – alla 14 tävlingarna.
– Det här är en fantastisk upplevelse för mig och något jag alltid har drömt om. Mycket spännande ligger framför oss, säger Oliver Solberg.
Efter att ha missat förra årets WRC2-titel med tre poäng, är målet för Oliver och co-driver Elliott Edmondson att vinna VM-titeln i rally.
– Vi var nära förra året och kommer att slutföra jobbet 2025. Men vi behöver också skaffa oss erfarenhet i de nya tävlingarna på Gran Canaria, Spanien, i Paraguay och Saudiarabien. Målet är att utmana och kämpa för att få en plats i Rally1.
Solberg och Edmondson har valt bort Rally Monte-Carlo att köra för poäng i kampen om VM-titeln. Precis som förra året räknas bara sju av tävlingarna de kör i VM-sammandraget.
– Vi föredrar att slåss om poäng i rallyn där vi har mer erfarenhet, konstaterar Oliver Solberg.
Rally-VM 2025
Rallye Monte-Carlo (23-26 januari)
Rally Sweden (13-16 februari)
Safari Rally Kenya (20-23 mars)
Rally Islas Canarias (24-27 april)
Rally de Portugal (15-18 maj)
Rally Italia Sardegna (5-8 juni)
Acropolis Rally Grekland (26-29 juni)
Rally Estonia (17-20 juli)
Rally Finland (31 juli – 3 augusti)
Rally del Paraguay (28-31 augusti)
Rally Chile (11–14 september)
Central European Rally (16-19 oktober)
Rally Japan (6-9 november)
Rally Saudiarabien (27–30 november)
25-01-20 Stars of the WRC herald in 2025 among the glitz of Monaco
WRC welcomed in the 2025 season on Sunday evening, highlighting off-season changes and an all-new tyre partner.
The stars of the FIA World Rally Championship shone bright on Sunday night as the 2025 season was officially launched in front of the sparkling backdrop of the iconic Casino de Monte-Carlo.
Before beginning proceedings, the sincere sympathies of the WRC community were passed to the family, friends and colleagues of His Excellency Mr. Didier Guillaume, serving Minister of state of Monaco, who sadly passed away on the 17 January.
Led by dignitaries FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, Hankook Tire Motorsport Senior Director Manfred Sandbichler, WRC Promoter Managing Director Jona Siebel, Automobile Club de Monaco General Commissioner Eric Barrabino and SBM Director General Albert Manzone, there were a number of notable firsts to headline the launch. This included new world champion Thierry Neuville sporting the number one on the window of his Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team i20 N Rally1.
Speaking on the evening, the 36-year-old Belgian said, "Seeing the number one on the car for the full season now, we will never forget 2024. Nevertheless, it is a new season starting, all counters are on zero again which means we need to have the same motivation and spirit to fight hard and try and defend our title.
There was additionally a new look to the driver line-up, with Adrien Fourmaux now sporting the colours of Hyundai, Sami Pajari appearing as a full-time driver for Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team and Josh McErlean making his first appearance in M-Sport Ford overalls, just days out from his Rally1 debut.
Appearing on stage following team-mate Gregoire Munster, Irishman McErlean admitted to being ‘privileged’ to be stood on the ramp. “Obviously, it is a dream come true, it will be a big year of learning, these cars are incredible.”
From leading driver in 2024 at M-Sport Ford, Frenchman Fourmaux will be bookended by world champions Neuville and Estonia’s Ott Tänak at Hyundai. “I am feeling really excited, it is a big challenge for us with a new car, a new team and new tyres – we want to continue in the way we were going last year.”
Joining Elfyn Evans, Takamoto Katsuta and two-time world champion Kalle Rovanperä as a full-time driver for Toyota Gazoo Racing, former FIA Junior WRC champion Pajari has a wealth of experience to call upon in the Toyota garage Asked if he was feeling pressure with his increased role, the Finn opined: “At least not yet, that will come on Thursday evening, just really really looking forward to the season.”
The experience at Toyota will be further bolstered when legendary eight-time world champion Sébastien Ogier turns out on selected rounds for the Japanese marque, including on the season-opener as he targets a record 10th Monte victory.
It was also a milestone evening for the event’s co-hosts Hankook Tire, who are about to endeavour on their first-ever journey in the WRC. Speaking on behalf of Hankook, Sandbichler said: “For Hankook Tire, today is a milestone because the legend starts today. This is a really strong competition and we will do everything we can to make the story successful.”
A former WRC competitor himself, FIA President Ben Sulayem said: “To us at the FIA this championship is very dear, it is one of the pillars we have and I can see a good future for the WRC."
WRC Promoter’s Jona Siebel spoke of the importance of the season-opening Monte Carlo to the championship. “It’s a unique brand, full of emotions, heritage and passion – it is a privilege for us to get to start here,” he expressed.
Rallye Monte-Carlo officially starts on Thursday in the same location as Sunday night’s festivities, when all competitors cross the ceremonial start before heading high into the French Alps for three fan-laden stages in the dark, before eventually making their way back to Monte-Carlo on Sunday afternoon where the winner will be crowned.
It marks the beginning of 11 months of action which will see competitors cross four continents to tackle snow, ice, asphalt, dirt and gravel in their mission to be crowned world champions. The full 2025 calendar can be accessed here.
.
