2025 WRC News & Rumours

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Originally Posted by EstWRC

Oliver will fit anyway but he is not ready yet to take the full responsibility. That what he is saying.

Tänak maybe peaked but he is still one of the best drivers out there atm

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Agree on that, But that shouldn´t hinder full time in 2026.

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Originally Posted by flat_right

Rallying isn't about peaking, it is all about experience. Ogier is driving like never before, so is he peaking at the moment?

Don't get me wrong, Oliver belongs to Rally1 and would be massive disappointment if he isn't doing a full season next year. But we have seen this with Lappi. Won on his favorite surface in Finland but rest of the career wasn't as everyone hoped and expected. So the question is that is Toyota willing to take the risk?

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Judging Oliver in the shadow of Lappi? Nah. Why? here we have the guy, of all youngsters counting, who should and will have a seat at Toyota. Why question him?

I think I have on my feet at this time, regarding Oliver to Rally1. ;) ;)

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Originally Posted by focus206

And Kalle seems to have never enjoyed driving these new hybridless cars on Hankook.

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For me it didnt enjoyed driving rally cars last two seasons, no matter the hybrid or Hankook. It looks like he just lost motivation...

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Originally Posted by PLuto

For me it didnt enjoyed driving rally cars last two seasons, no matter the hybrid or Hankook. It looks like he just lost motivation...

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As he says himself, he never went for as many titles as possible. Respect to that.

I guess he's a new generation of rally driver who isnt motivated by records,. Plus although young in age he's been driving rallly cars for many years already.

Good luck to him and itll be fascinating to see how he does in racing. Imagine if he goes and shines at that too and proves 'rally drivers' are truly the best of all !

Rovenpara possibly didn’t think he’d find it so easy to dominate so early and that why he had a break.

The thought of going after Loeb’s record is probably a bit boring to him, and he’s probably set himself a higher target of becoming F1 champion now. He probably just wants to challenge himself.

Also, the WRC isn’t in a great state, so any achievements are going unnoticed in the wider world of sport; whereas, F1 is riding a wave of popularity and investment. Basically, being F1 champion is far more impressive and challenging than WRC champion.

I cant believe he retires from rallying, these gen Z youngsters has other priorities, i 'll miss him.

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Originally Posted by flat_right

Same. He just turned 25. So even if he will do single seaters for couple of years, maybe he will miss winning and return to WRC. As I understand, the plan is Super Formula '26, F2 in '27. So couple of years that and if there is nothing that will get him into F1, I hope he returns.

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In a finnish interview Kalle said that it will be Toyota supporting him all steps of the way, including the final step to F1.
Of course there is the Haas-connection already now, but wouldn't be surprised if Toyota announces an F1 team for '28 race season. Hopefully Kalle is one of the drivers.

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Originally Posted by Doon

Rovenpara possibly didn’t think he’d find it so easy to dominate so early and that why he had a break.

The thought of going after Loeb’s record is probably a bit boring to him, and he’s probably set himself a higher target of becoming F1 champion now. He probably just wants to challenge himself.

Also, the WRC isn’t in a great state, so any achievements are going unnoticed in the wider world of sport; whereas, F1 is riding a wave of popularity and investment. Basically, being F1 champion is far more impressive and challenging than WRC champion.

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F1 being more popular doesn't make being F1 champion more impressive or challenging than being WRC champion, only more famous. I doubt Kalle took this decision because he wants notoriety as a F1 driver, but I agree he's probably bored/dissatisfied with WRC...