Fourmaux and Toyota driver Kalle Rovanperä took part in the Rallye National Hivernal du Dévoluy in France over the weekend as a test event. Both drivers used the rally to begin their preparations for the 2025 WRC season.
Competing for Hyundai for the first time, Fourmaux claimed a significant victory by beating two-time world champion Rovanperä by 15.5 seconds.
Rovanperä staged an impressive late charge during the rally’s final stages, shaving 15.5 seconds off Fourmaux’s lead over two stages, bringing him to within 9.5 seconds of the Frenchman before the final test.
However, Fourmaux sealed the victory with a fastest time on the last stage, securing his win in the winter rally. The event was held in snowy conditions on the same terrain that will host the 2025 WRC season opener, the Rally Monte Carlo, in just over a month.
Next year, Rally1 cars will undergo two major changes: hybrid units will no longer be used, and South Korean manufacturer Hankook will serve as the new tyre supplier. Over the weekend, both Fourmaux and Rovanperä were able to familiarise themselves with these updates.
The WRC stars are now set for a brief break before the new season begins. Hyundai is expected to carry out more testing in the coming week before the Christmas break, although it remains unclear if Toyota drivers will test their Rally1 cars before the holidays.
In 2025, Fourmaux will compete in a full season behind the wheel of Hyundai’s third Rally1 car. Rovanperä, meanwhile, returns to a full-time schedule and will aim to secure his third world championship title.
The season-opening Monte Carlo Rally will take place from 23–26 January.
Rallye National Hivernal du Dévoluy results after SS10/10:
| POS | Driver | Car | Time |
| 1. | Adrien Fourmaux | Hyundai | 1:24:07.3 |
| 2. | Kalle Rovanperä | Toyota | +15.5 |
| 3. | Jonathan Hirschi | Citroen | +6:02.9 |
| 4. | Matteo Chatillon | Toyota | +7:01.8 |
| 5. | Matthieu Margaillan | Skoda | +7:04.1 |
| 6. | Damien Oberti | Skoda | +7:55.7 |
