The stars of the
FIA World Rally Championship shone bright on Sunday night as the 2025 season
was officially launched in front of the sparkling backdrop of the iconic Casino
de Monte-Carlo.
Before beginning proceedings, the sincere sympathies of the WRC
community were passed to the family, friends and colleagues of His Excellency
Mr. Didier Guillaume, serving Minister of state of Monaco, who sadly passed
away on the 17 January.
Led by dignitaries
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, Hankook Tire Motorsport Senior Director
Manfred Sandbichler, WRC Promoter Managing Director Jona Siebel, Automobile
Club de Monaco General Commissioner Eric Barrabino and SBM Director General
Albert Manzone, there were a number of notable firsts to headline the launch.
This included new world champion Thierry Neuville sporting the number one on
the window of his Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team i20 N Rally1. Speaking
on the evening, the 36-year-old Belgian said, "Seeing the number one on
the car for the full season now, we will never forget 2024. Nevertheless, it is
a new season starting, all counters are on zero again which means we need to
have the same motivation and spirit to fight hard and try and defend our title.
There was
additionally a new look to the driver line-up, with Adrien Fourmaux now
sporting the colours of Hyundai, Sami Pajari appearing as a full-time driver
for Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team and Josh McErlean making his first
appearance in M-Sport Ford overalls, just days out from his Rally1 debut.
Appearing on stage
following team-mate Gregoire Munster, Irishman McErlean admitted to being
‘privileged’ to be stood on the ramp. “Obviously, it is a dream come true, it
will be a big year of learning, these cars are incredible.”
From leading driver
in 2024 at M-Sport Ford, Frenchman Fourmaux will be bookended by world
champions Neuville and Estonia’s Ott Tänak at Hyundai. “I am feeling really
excited, it is a big challenge for us with a new car, a new team and new tyres
– we want to continue in the way we were going last year.”
Joining Elfyn
Evans, Takamoto Katsuta and two-time world champion Kalle Rovanperä as a
full-time driver for Toyota Gazoo Racing, former FIA Junior WRC champion Pajari
has a wealth of experience to call upon in the Toyota garage Asked if he was
feeling pressure with his increased role, the Finn opined: “At least not yet,
that will come on Thursday evening, just really really looking forward to the
season.”
The experience at Toyota will be further bolstered when legendary
eight-time world champion Sébastien Ogier turns out on selected rounds for the
Japanese marque, including on the season-opener as he targets a record 10th
Monte victory.
It was also a
milestone evening for the event’s co-hosts Hankook Tire, who are about to
endeavour on their first-ever journey in the WRC. Speaking on behalf of
Hankook, Sandbichler said: “For Hankook Tire, today is a milestone because the
legend starts today. This is a really strong competition and we will do
everything we can to make the story successful.”
A former WRC
competitor himself, FIA President Ben Sulayem said: “To us at the FIA this
championship is very dear, it is one of the pillars we have and I can see a
good future for the WRC."
WRC Promoter’s Jona
Siebel spoke of the importance of the season-opening Monte Carlo to the
championship. “It’s a unique brand, full of emotions, heritage and passion – it
is a privilege for us to get to start here,” he expressed.
Rallye Monte-Carlo
officially starts on Thursday in the same location as Sunday night’s
festivities, when all competitors cross the ceremonial start before heading
high into the French Alps for three fan-laden stages in the dark, before
eventually making their way back to Monte-Carlo on Sunday afternoon where the
winner will be crowned.
It marks the
beginning of 11 months of action which will see competitors cross four
continents to tackle snow, ice, asphalt, dirt and gravel in their mission to be
crowned world champions. The full 2025 calendar can be accessed here.