The WRC is preparing to experience a mini-revolution in 2025: with a view to reducing costs, making the cars more reliable and improving the spectacle, the discipline will experience several changes next season, starting with the withdrawal of the hybrid system. Less powerful but lighter cars, and above all less complex and less expensive, opening the door to private commitments.
The WRC will also diversify the rally formats: some will be shorter and others longer than the traditional 305 kilometer course. Above all, the 2025 grid could see some changes with a youth treatment and the arrival of young talents in the premier category.
Toyota
At Toyota, after winning a fourth consecutive Manufacturers' title at home, the Japanese team learned the lessons of a difficult 2024 season to avoid experiencing such a scare again. After banking on only two starting drivers in 2024, the Japanese clan has decided to field… four full-time cars in 2025, plus a fifth on various rallies! Like last season, Elfyn Evans and Takamoto Katsuta will play the entire season.
Double world champion Kalle Rovanperä will also make his full-time return after a partial year. The three men will be joined on all rallies by Sami Pajari: the young Finn, impressive during his first outings with the Yaris Rally1, convinced Toyota to hire him for the full season in 2025. Finally, as since 2022, Sébastien Ogier will respect a partial program on selected rallies.
READ ALSO > From four to five Toyotas in Rally1 in 2025, with the return of Rovanperä full-time
Hyundai
Hyundai may have won its first Drivers' title with Thierry Neuville in 2024, but it missed the boat in the Manufacturers' championship by three small points. A defeat at the gong which could well change the philosophy of the Korean team for its crews in 2025. If the shock duo Thierry Neuville – Ott Tänak will have the mission of achieving the Drivers-Constructors double next year – the Belgian having extended his contract for another year last September – it could be that Hyundai decides to hire a third full-time driver in 2025.
And this pilot could be Adrien Fourmaux! The Frenchman, author of a good season at M-Sport with five podiums, would have the opportunity to join a factory team next year and help Hyundai win a Manufacturers' title which has eluded it since 2020. entry of a fourth car on certain rallies is also being studied: in this case, Andreas Mikkelsen and Esapekka Lappi, already entered part-time in 2024, could continue the adventure with the Korean stable.
M-Sport Ford
For the first time since 2021, M-Sport concluded a season without a victory and finished third in the championship, far, far from the behemoths that are Toyota and Hyundai. And the situation is unlikely to improve with the possible departure of Adrien Fourmaux, who alone collected the five podiums for the British team during the 2024 campaign. At present, everything remains possible even if for Grégoire Munster, an extension is on track.
As for the second full-time car, eyes logically turn to Martins Sesks: the Latvian performed very well during his first rallies in the premier class aboard the Ford Puma and did enough to claim a seat. in Rally1 in 2025. With the end of the hybrid, M-Sport could also be tempted to enter a third car full-time next year. The most persistent rumors in the paddock mention the name of Oliver Solberg, but this will involve sponsorship agreements. Finally, as in recent years, Jourdan Serderidis should participate in a few rallies in the form of a private entry with the Ford Puma.
WRC – The 2025 grid
???????? Toyota Gazoo Racing
???????? #5 Sami Pajari
???????? #17 Sébastien Ogier (partial program)
???????? #18 Takamoto Katsuta
???????? #33 Elfyn Evans
???????? #69 Kalle Rovanperä
???????? Hyundai Motorsport
???????? #1 Thierry Neuville
???????? #8 Ott Tänak
3rd driver to be confirmed…
Potential pilots: ???????? Adrien Fourmaux / ???????? Andreas Mikkelsen / ???????? Esapekka Lappi
???????? M-Sport Ford
Drivers to be confirmed…
Potential drivers: ???????? Grégoire Munster / ???????? Martins Sesks / ???????? Oliver Solberg
READ ALSO > The FIA formalizes the end of hybrid in Rally1 from 2025
