WRC2 news & rumors 2025

[Andre Oliveira]

Dreams come true as Somaschini confirms WRC2 entry



Rachele Somaschini, a four-time Italian Women’s Rally Champion, is set to fulfil a lifelong dream by joining the WRC2 field in the 2025 FIA World Rally Championship.

The Milan-born driver will compete in a Citroën C3 Rally2, tackling six rounds of next year’s championship while championing her #CorrerePerUnRespiro initiative. The campaign, which raises awareness and funds for cystic fibrosis research, holds deep personal significance as Somaschini herself has battled the genetic condition since birth.

Somaschini’s impressive résumé extends beyond her national success. She has been a familiar face in the FIA European Rally Championship in recent years and has already competed in five WRC events, gaining valuable international experience.

Partnered with co-driver Nicola Arena, the 30-year-old will launch her campaign at the iconic Rallye Monte-Carlo in January. Her calendar will also feature stops in Sweden, Portugal, Finland, Spain, and her home rally in Italy.

“Becoming a rally driver was my childhood dream,” said Somaschini. “Achieving this has taken immense dedication and passion. Yet, I’ve always felt the urge to prove myself at the highest level. Despite my health struggles, that moment has arrived, and I am deeply grateful to all the partners who believed in me and made this dream come true.”

Reflecting on the road ahead, she added: “I know from past experiences, such as Monte-Carlo entries and European Championship events, that competing at this level demands even greater preparation, dedication, and effort. I intend to give my absolute best, knowing the competition will be fierce.

“Achieving this milestone means the world to me. I sincerely thank everyone who helped make it possible. I also plan to participate in select Italian events throughout the season to stay sharp and maintain a connection with our passionate home fans.”

https://www.wrc.com/a/news/w29067_Dr...rms-WRC2-entry

[Tom206wrc]

More girls in the competition is always better

Especially Rachele with her awful genetic disease preventing her to breathe correctly(respect to her strength to drive rally cars in these conditions)

[wyler]

Like Fourmaux, others can also prove themselves at M-Sport.

not with wrc2/rally2 campaign, nor without other people's money.

realistically, the only wrc2 campaign with rally1 option is with toyota. very few (if none) of the recent wrc2 champions outside toyota went stable to wrc.
m-sport is a different path, with more money to jump directly into rally1.

[deephouse]

not with wrc2/rally2 campaign, nor without other people's money.

realistically, the only wrc2 campaign with rally1 option is with toyota. very few (if none) of the recent wrc2 champions outside toyota went stable to wrc.
m-sport is a different path, with more money to jump directly into rally1.

Yeah, only Hyundai lack this opportunities for youngsters.

[denkimi]

Dreams come true as Somaschini confirms WRC2 entry



Rachele Somaschini, a four-time Italian Women’s Rally Champion, is set to fulfil a lifelong dream by joining the WRC2 field in the 2025 FIA World Rally Championship.

The Milan-born driver will compete in a Citroën C3 Rally2, tackling six rounds of next year’s championship while championing her #CorrerePerUnRespiro initiative. The campaign, which raises awareness and funds for cystic fibrosis research, holds deep personal significance as Somaschini herself has battled the genetic condition since birth.

Somaschini’s impressive résumé extends beyond her national success. She has been a familiar face in the FIA European Rally Championship in recent years and has already competed in five WRC events, gaining valuable international experience.

Partnered with co-driver Nicola Arena, the 30-year-old will launch her campaign at the iconic Rallye Monte-Carlo in January. Her calendar will also feature stops in Sweden, Portugal, Finland, Spain, and her home rally in Italy.

“Becoming a rally driver was my childhood dream,” said Somaschini. “Achieving this has taken immense dedication and passion. Yet, I’ve always felt the urge to prove myself at the highest level. Despite my health struggles, that moment has arrived, and I am deeply grateful to all the partners who believed in me and made this dream come true.”

Reflecting on the road ahead, she added: “I know from past experiences, such as Monte-Carlo entries and European Championship events, that competing at this level demands even greater preparation, dedication, and effort. I intend to give my absolute best, knowing the competition will be fierce.

“Achieving this milestone means the world to me. I sincerely thank everyone who helped make it possible. I also plan to participate in select Italian events throughout the season to stay sharp and maintain a connection with our passionate home fans.”

https://www.wrc.com/a/news/w29067_Dr...rms-WRC2-entry

I had a quick look at her results. I expect her to be about 25 minutes behind the top of rc2 in monte.

Or maybe 40 minutes, like she was in rc3 in 2020.

[Andre Oliveira]

Rumeau should be better. But i would like to see Melissa Debackere there too.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

not with wrc2/rally2 campaign, nor without other people's money.

realistically, the only wrc2 campaign with rally1 option is with toyota. very few (if none) of the recent wrc2 champions outside toyota went stable to wrc.
m-sport is a different path, with more money to jump directly into rally1.

Fourmaux did a WRC2 campaign and got back to Rally1 and has now earned a paid seat in a Rally1 at Hyundai... thanks to M-Sport, FFSA and Red Bull.

[Backa]

it's the only real way to a rally1.

Now with 24-years old Rovanpera and 23-years old Pajari in Toyota rally1 and then 23-years old Solberg waiting in line, it would make more sense for someone young and talented to try build Hyundai connection. They kinda disregard youngsters last years but with Tanak and Neuville being rather older drivers, some spot could be open even for 2026.

[denkimi]

Rumeau should be better. But i would like to see Melissa Debackere there too.

She's 40 years old and long past her prime.
But probably still better than Somaschini.

[wyler]

Fourmaux did a WRC2 campaign and got back to Rally1 and has now earned a paid seat in a Rally1 at Hyundai... thanks to M-Sport, FFSA and Red Bull.

not really. his wrc2 campaign was not really a thing, and he got back to regional championship before rally1.
two more things:
1) it's very well known that it wasn't the rally2 that given him a rally1 at m-sport, but money (the same sponsor u named, not everyone has this luck .) same apply to munster...
2) there's no more a m-sport program in wrc2 anymore (nor even a private fiesta, basically...), and just a reward drive in erc. so basically, no m-sport in rally2. Their "new" driver arrives from a private team and from basically money. same applies for hiunday: no program in wrc2, nor really in erc. just private paddon, although they seem to be boosting a local/regional renewal with rally2. anyway, no connection to rally1 possibilities.