[WRC] Rally Saudi Arabia 2025

[denkimi]

I think this event also shows just how much experience matters on most rallies. It's totally new for everyone, and suddenly the new drivers aren't that far back anymore. Except for munster and josh, they still suck.

[AndersX]

I think this event also shows just how much experience matters on most rallies. It's totally new for everyone, and suddenly the new drivers aren't that far back anymore. Except for munster and josh, they still suck.

This. Therefore i do not understand those who say that Sesks underperformed in 6 rounds earlier this season. How much PET and seat time plus experience he had? For me Sweden and Finland were events that talked much more about him as a driver - no mistakes on these very specialized events, faster than teammates, without any experience with 4wd car. This rally shows that when experience makes no advantage, younger drivers are competitive right away.

I am sure, Sesks sooner or later will land a factory drive; future is good for WRC - Fourmaux, Pajari, Solberg, Sesks and I would even put McErlean in this line. He has speed, I noted him in ERC. You will see, his 2nd season will be much better.

[Kenneth]

This is a golden chance for Neuville to avoid now getting in the club where the defending champion doesn’t win a rally the next season

Who are the other champions in the club?

[EstWRC]

Who are the other champions in the club?

Blomqvist and Burns

[AnttiK7]

Blomqvist and Burns

Also Röhrl (1981), Vatanen (1982), Kankkunen (1988) and Sainz (1993).

[becher]

The Hyundai was weak this season, but much better than not having a drive (Röhrl and Vatanen also in 1982 if i remember correctly), joining Toyota while the GT Four was in it's infancy (Kankkunen) or joining Lancia/Jolly Club when Abarth really stopped all activity (Sainz).

Blomquists situation was kind of similar to Neuville, maybe even worse.

Burns is the only one who really didn't have any excuse, but i don't think anyone is silly enough to argue that he was a bad driver.

[focus206]

Rohrl and Vatanen I wouldn't really count, because they were basically having sabbatical years (willing or unwilling).

Blomqvist didn't do a bad season in 1985 and finished 2nd, Peugeot was just too good for Audi.

Kankkunen definitely had the worst current champion's season in 1988, with 5 retirements and one 5th place. They were developing the Celica GT-Four and he also had bad luck.

Sainz in 1993, even if Lancia was semi-works and run by Jolly Club, I'm sure he expected a bit more than what he achieved (8th).

Burns in 2002 drove the best car by far but achieved little, 5th and only 3 points better than Panizzi, who scored points almost only in asphalt rallies.