AUTOhebdo's Top 50 Drivers of 2025 – 35th to 31st: from Kalle Rovanperä to Ayhancan Güven

Notation method: The journalists at AUTOhebdo each submitted their top 50 from a pre-defined list of 80 names. The driver in first place received 50 points, down to the fiftieth, who received one point. The average of the votes produced a ranking based on the driver's (or crew's) performance in their category during the year 2025.

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35. Kalle Rovanperä

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• 3rd in the World Rally Championship
• 3 rallies won

Left behind by a leading duo somewhat isolated in the world, made up of Sébastien Ogier and Elfyn Evans at the end of the season, Kalle Rovanperä says goodbye to WRC with honors. The Finn now heads towards the car after his two world championship titles, but above all concluding a full season. Three rally victories in Spain, Finland and Central Europe, two third places in Portugal and Italy, the person concerned could believe in his chances of title after his European success, but did not manage to finish with as much brilliance as he would have liked.

34. Ayumu Iwasa

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• Super Formula Champion

In addition to his role as a reserve pilot within the Red Bull en Formula 1Ayumu Iwasa hasn't been idle. Besides his presence in the paddocks sporting the Racing Bulls kit, the Japanese driver competed in Super Formula for the second consecutive year. Fifth last year, he is now champion, boasting two wins and seven podium finishes in twelve races. This is the second title of his career, following his French F4 championship win in 2020.

33. Kelvin van der Linde

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• Champion IGTC
• GTWCE Champion
• Winner of the 24 Hours of Nürburgring

Champion of the Intercontinental GT Challenge, and also of the GT World Challenge Europe alongside Belgian Charles Weerts, South African Kelvin van der Linde capped his season with a prestigious victory at the 24 Hours of Nürburgring last spring. Winner of four of the five IGTC rounds, as well as three GTWCE races, he completed a full year in the GT category.

32. Oliver Gray, Esteban Masson

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• Champions ELMS

Teaming up with Charles Milesi – whose commitment in WEC This puts them even higher in the Top 50 – Oliver Gray and Esteban Masson did indeed win the ELMS with the French team VDS Panis Racing. Second in Barcelona behind IDEC Sport, then only sixth at Le Castellet, the champion drivers were particularly successful in turning things around in the second half of the season. Capable of winning at Imola, Spa-Francorchamps, and Portimão, they ultimately finished 14 points ahead of the Inter Europol Competition crew.

31. Ayhancan Güven

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• Champion DTM

At 27, Ayhancan Güven won his first DTM championship title after only four appearances. Despite a solid season, the Turkish driver had to wait until the final round to clinch the victory. With many drivers still in contention for the crown just laps from the end of the season, the driver Porsche He pulled off what remains one of the most spectacular overtaking maneuvers of the year, on the grass, in the final corners of the race. Buoyed by this feat, Ayhancan Güven will represent Manthey Racing in the WEC in 2026.

ALSO READ > Ayhancan Güven makes one of the best overtakes of the season for the DTM title