The first trends of WRC2 in 2025

In a championship that should once again play more than just a recreational role next year, several players have already revealed their intentions. In a competition whose mode of operation will remain identical (7 races to be contested, the 6 best results retained), Oliver Solberg was the first to declare himself. Announced at M-Sport or Skoda, the 23-year-old Swede will finally evolve with Printsport with a Toyota Yaris Rally2. Having tested the Japanese in ideal conditions for Monte-Carlo in December, the Nordic driver should be there, but it is not certain that he will score points. Oliver will however be favourite in Sweden (13-16 February).

At least five Citroën C3s

The approach will be the opposite for Yohan Rossel who will start his year in Gap and who will then not go to Umeå. Supported by Stellantis, the Frenchman leaves with the C3 Rally2 and the firm intention of aiming for the title. While evolving at PH-Sport will not be a new thing for him, he will discover racing with his family since his brother Léo will be on the trip. The 2024 French champion is moving up a level with the ambition of progressing.

This will also be the watchword for Stéphane Sarrazin's team. Lined up on Citroën C3 Rally2s, Pablo Sarrazin and Sarah Rumeau will have a lot to learn in 2025. Integrated into the Iron Dames program, the young woman will be present from the Monte-Carlo, where Stéphane's son supported by Iron Lynx will continue his budding career in rally. These 4 Citroëns will be joined by that of Rachelle Somaschini. After several seasons in ERC, the 30-year-old Italian will attack in Monte Carlo before competing in Sweden, the Canaries, Sardinia, and Finland. Among the other certainties, Jan Solans is assured of making the 2^e year of his program. Surprising winner of the WRC2 in Portugal 2024, the 27-year-old Spaniard should return to the rounds where he made his mark (Monte-Carlo, Sweden, Portugal, Acropolis, Finland, Chile, Japan) with his Toyota Yaris.

In Teo Martin's team that takes care of his car, he will have a new teammate. Crowned WRC3 champion in 2024, Diego Dominguez is taking a step up. The 24-year-old Paraguayan will also be driving a Yaris Rally2 with a busy double program in WRC2 but also in WRC3. In total, he will compete in 13 of the 14 rounds on the world calendar! Titled in JWRC, Romet Jürgenson will be one of the attractions of the season. The driver from the FIA ​​Rally Star operation has a great card to play at M-Sport, which is the structure where he will be able to grow the best and, why not, hope to aim higher in the years to come. Alongside these certainties, there remain many questions, the most important of which concerns Skoda.

Who will Skoda aim for the title?

After seeing Andreas Mikkelsen leave at the end of the 2023 season, Skoda Motorsport has lost Oliver Solberg. It is therefore important that a new leader is chosen. The latter will not only have the mission of competing for the crown (with Toksport?), but he will also have to provide part of the test sessions to develop a Fabia RS that seemed to mark time against the Yaris and the C3 in 2024. Disappointing during the previous season, does Fergus Greensmith have the stature to embody this role? Is the Englishman still completely focused on rallies? Fabrizio Zaldivar revealed at the start of the year that he would also drive for Toksport, but he does not have the speed to claim the title. Can other candidates such as Nikolay Gryazin, Marco Bulacia or Robert Virves make the manufacturer from Mlada Boleslav shine? Should the latter consider recalling Andreas Mikkelsen? After his “season” with Hyundai, the Norwegian finds himself with a lot of free time… Could he be interested in (again!) a return to WRC2?

Could the solution come from a surprise, for example by granting a promotion to Mathieu Franceschi who has shown great things in the ERC? Questions also arise for drivers who missed out in 2024 and who will seek to relaunch themselves. What will happen to Emil Lindholm or Teemu Suninen? Hyundai clearly has a car that would be worth watching against tough competition. Will there be a solid program around an i20 Step2 with one of the two French teams (2C and CHL)? We will probably have to wait until the Canary Islands Rally (April 24-27) to have a real idea of ​​the forces present for the WRC2 in 2025. Monte-Carlo, Sweden and Kenya being three very specific events, the Spanish round will allow all the contenders to reveal their intentions.

WRC2 2025
The drivers officially entered

🇯🇵 Toyota Yaris Rally2
Oliver Solberg (Printsport)
Jan Solans (Teo Martin Motorsport)
Diego Dominguez (Teo Martin Motorsport)
🇫🇷 Citroën C3 Rally2
Yohan Rossel (PH-Sport)
Leo Rossel (PH-Sport)
Sarah Rumeau (Iron Dames)
Pablo Sarrazin (Iron Lynx)
Rachelle Somaschini (RS Team)
🇨🇿 Skoda Fabia RS Rally2
Fabrizio Zaldivar (Toksport)
🇺🇸 Ford Fiesta Rally2
Romet Jürgenson (M-Sport)
🇰🇷 Hyundai i20 N Rally2
No driver formalized

ALSO READ > Transfers, new drivers… What will the WRC grid look like in 2025?