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

Le WRC is about to experience a mini-revolution in 2025: with a view to reducing costs, making cars more reliable and improving the show, the discipline will undergo 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 kilometres of course. Above all, the 2025 grid could see some changes with a facelift and the arrival of young talents in the premier category.

Toyota

At Toyota, after having won a fourth consecutive Constructors' title on the wire at home, the Japanese team has learned the lessons of a laborious 2024 season to avoid having such a scare again. After having bet on only two regular drivers in 2024, the Japanese clan has decided to line up... four full-time cars in 2025, plus a fifth on various rallies! Like last season, Elfyn Evans and Takamoto Katsuta will compete for 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 in his first outings with the Yaris Rally1, convinced Toyota to sign him for the full season in 2025. Finally, as since 2022, Sébastien Ogier will respect a partial program on selected rallies.

ALSO READ > From four to five Toyotas in Rally1 in 2025, with the return of Rovanperä full-time

Hyundai

Hyundai may have won his first Drivers' title with Thierry Neuville in 2024, but it missed the boat in the Constructors' Championship by just three points. A defeat on the gong that 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 an additional year last September – Hyundai may decide to hire a third full-time driver in 2025.

And this pilot, it could be Adrien fourmaux ! The Frenchman, author of a great season at M-Sport with five podiums, would have the opportunity to join a factory team next year and help Hyundai secure a Constructors' title that has eluded it since 2020. The entry of a fourth car on certain rallies is also under consideration: in this case, Andreas Mikkelsen and Esapekka Lappi, already entered part-time in 2024, could continue the adventure with the Korean team.

M Sport Ford

For the first time since 2021, M-Sport concluded a season without a win and finished third in the championship, far, far behind the giants Toyota and Hyundai. And the situation is not likely to improve with the possible departure of Adrien Fourmaux, who alone collected the British team's five podiums during the 2024 campaign. At present, everything remains possible even if for Grégoire Munster, an extension is on the right track.

As for the second full-time car, the eyes are logically turning to Martins Sesks: the Latvian performed very well in his first rallies in the premier class aboard the Ford Puma and has done 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 full-time car next year. The most persistent rumours in the paddock mention the name of Oliver Solberg, but this will be done through 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 plateau

🇯🇵 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 Tanak
3rd driver to be confirmed…
Potential drivers: 🇫🇷 Adrien Fourmaux / 🇳🇴 Andreas Mikkelsen / 🇫🇮 Esapekka Lappi

🇬🇧 M-Sport Ford
Drivers to be confirmed…
Potential drivers: 🇱🇺 Grégoire Munster / 🇱🇻 Martins Sesks / 🇸🇪 Oliver Solberg

ALSO READ > FIA formalizes the end of hybrid in Rally1 from 2025