IN PICTURES – The 10 youngest WRC world champions

It is a historic record which was shattered by Kalle Rovanperä. The Finn was crowned world champion WRC at only 22 years and 1 day, which makes him the youngest champion in history… by far. The previous holder was none other than Colin McRae. The Scot won the title in 1995 at the age of 27 years and 109 days.

Le jeune prodige de Toyota a donc battu le record de plus de 5 ans ! Une statistique incroyable puisqu’à titre de comparaison, le plus jeune champion du monde de Formula 1, Sebastian Vettel, had been crowned at the age of 23 years and 4 months.

Here are the 10 youngest WRC champions in history, with some prestigious names in this list…

 

 

 

 

 

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10th: Richard Burns, champion in 2001 at 30 years and 312 days with Subaru

© FRANCOIS FLAMAND / DPPI

9th: Miki Biasion, champion in 1988 at 30 years and 280 days with Lancia

© CLAUDE SAULNIER / DPPI

8th: Sébastien Loeb, champion in 2004 at 30 years and 220 days with Citroën

© CLAUDE SAULNIER / DPPI

7e: Sébastien Ogier, champion in 2013 at 29 years and 294 days with Volkswagen

© FRANCOIS BAUDIN / DPPI

6th: Ari Vatanen, champion in 1981 at 29 years and 21 days with Ford

© DPPI

5th: Petter Solberg, champion in 2003 at 28 years and 312 days with Subaru

© FRANCOIS BAUDIN / DPPI

4e: Carlos Sainz, champion in 1990 at 28 years and 189 days with Toyota

© FRANCOIS BAUDIN / DPPI

3rd: Juha Kankkunen, champion in 1986 at 27 years and 249 days with Peugeot

© DPPI

2nd: Colin McRae, champion in 1995 at 27 years and 109 days with Subaru

© François Baudin / DPPI

1st: Kalle Rovanperä, champion in 2022 at 22 years and 1 day with Toyota

© Nikos Katikis / DPPI

ALSO READ > The gifted Kalle Rovanperä