Grégoire Munster, a metamorphosis expected in 2025

Grégoire Munster can breathe easy: yes, he will be given a second chance in 2025 with M-SportThe Belgian-Luxembourger has retained the confidence of the British team and its director, Richard Millener, to compete in a second full season in WRC aboard the Ford Puma Rally1. Its extension, made official on December 18th, came to put an end to a false suspense as the options of the English formation were limited. It will however have had the merit of having relieved us concerning the presence of M-Sport in 2025, while a withdrawal from the discipline had been mentioned upstream.

If he has received the blessing of Malcolm Wilson's clan, Grégoire Munster will have a heavy task next season: that of team leader. Indeed, with the departure ofAdrien fourmaux in Hyundai, it is on the shoulders of the Belgian that the main hopes of the British team will rest in 2025 and this, for only his second full season in WRC. A sacred role for the 25-year-old driver, whose first campaign in Rally1 was not as quiet as hoped…

After discovering the Ford Puma in 2023, with two interesting participations in Chile (13th) and Central Europe (7th), Grégoire Munster had a laborious start to the season with small mistakes with serious consequences (Monte-Carlo, Portugal, Acropolis). Often relegated to several seconds behind the leaders (and his teammate) on each special, the Belgian had a long time to adapt before finding his rhythm by setting interesting times at the end of the year. Fifth on three occasions during the completed season (Sardinia, Central Europe, Japan), the Luxembourger will have higher objectives in the months to come with a first podium in his sights.

“The goal is to continue our progression in the premier class and improve on our position in 2024. Of course, that means aiming for a top-five finish with fourth overall and hopefully a few podium finishes, aims at Gregory Munster. I’m excited to see what we can do. I’m really looking forward to next year and the opportunity to ride the Puma again, especially in the great team structure and atmosphere at M-Sport.”

Munster will have to raise their game

Objectives that remain ambitious for the 25-year-old driver, who has never done better than 5th this season and who will have to become a team leader next year. If the Belgian will benefit from private test sessions and will have the first settings on his Ford Puma, he will have to confirm his progress shown on the last rallies of 2024. However, the M-Sport protégé will be able to start this 2025 championship with a certain serenity: that of having the total confidence of Richard Millener for this second season in WRC.

« I really enjoyed working with Grégoire and Louis this year, says the Team Principal of M-Sport. So having them back in 2025 is very positive for me. They have made huge progress in their first appearance and I think they fully deserve this opportunity. Even though we have to be realistic about the goals and expectations we have in 2025, it is a great opportunity for them. I am very happy to work with this tandem again for a full season. »

Lined up alongside Josh McErlean, a young Irishman who will be competing in his first season in the premier class, Grégoire Munster should not suffer from the comparison with his new teammate. Unless M-Sport finally decides to line up a third part-time car – for Martins Sesks for example? – and that this one proves to be more efficient than that of the n°13… If that happens – it already happened in 2024 in Latvia and Poland – Grégoire Munster's position could find itself weakened again. Let's not forget either that the Belgian's commitment to Rally1 is also possible thanks to the financial intervention of Jourdan Serderidis, who remains discreet about his involvement. For Grégoire Munster, this second season is perhaps already decisive for the rest of his career…

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