Hyundai’s latest signing, Fourmaux, and Toyota star Rovanperä entered the Rallye National Hivernal du Dévoluy in France as a test event. After seven special stages, Fourmaux holds a significant lead over Rovanperä.
Heading into Sunday’s stages, Rovanperä was 16 seconds behind Fourmaux, who is competing in the Hyundai i20 N Rally1 for the first time. On the morning’s three stages, Fourmaux posted two fastest times, extending his lead to 26 seconds.
Rovanperä outpaced his rival on only one stage, the second of the morning loop, where he was 3.7 seconds quicker than Fourmaux. However, the Frenchman responded by setting the fastest time on the final stage of the loop with a 7.4-second margin.
The Rallye Hivernal du Dévoluy has featured wintery conditions, making it an excellent test event ahead of the 2025 WRC season opener, the Monte Carlo Rally. Throughout the weekend, both Rovanperä and Fourmaux have had the chance to adapt to Rally1 cars without hybrid units, as hybrid technology will no longer be used in the top class next season.
Additionally, the WRC’s new tyre supplier, Hankook, has taken centre stage. Both drivers have been testing Hankook’s new tyres in winter conditions during the rally.
Three special stages remain in the Rallye Hivernal du Dévoluy, which will conclude on Sunday.
Rallye National Hivernal du Dévoluy standings after SS7/10:
| POS | Driver | Car | Time |
| 1. | Adrien Fourmaux | Hyundai | 1:05:39.8 |
| 2. | Kalle Rovanperä | Toyota | +26.0 |
| 3. | Jonathan Hirschi | Citroen | +4:53.1 |
| 4. | Matthieu Margaillan | Skoda | +5:37.1 |
| 5. | Matteo Chatillon | Toyota | +6:00.7 |
| 6. | Damien Oberti | Skoda | +6:22.2 |
