This year, the World Rally Championship reached a thrilling conclusion, with titles decided on the final day of competition. After Hyundai’s Ott Tänak crashed out, his teammate Thierry Neuville secured the drivers’ championship.
The manufacturers’ title battle was settled in the Power Stage of Rally Japan, where Toyota narrowly claimed the crown with a three-point advantage over Hyundai.
For the upcoming season, Hyundai has revamped its strategy by fielding three full-time drivers for the first time in years. Alongside Neuville and Tänak, the team has added Frenchman Adrien Fourmaux to the third car, following his impressive performances this year in M-Sport’s Ford Puma.
According to Ogier, Fourmaux fully deserves his seat at Hyundai.
“I think Adrien has done a good job this season, so he’s definitely progressing. Of course, he should help Hyundai be stronger next year,” Ogier told RallyJournal.com praising his compatriot.
“Now they (Hyundai) have three strong drivers in the line-up for sure. So, on our side, we’ll have to be strong as well if we want to compete,” the Frenchman added.
Toyota, on the other hand, will have four full-time drivers in 2025: Kalle Rovanperä, Elfyn Evans, Takamoto Katsuta, and Sami Pajari. Ogier will also participate in selected rallies next year.
This past season, Hyundai came close to clinching both championships, but Tänak’s crash in Japan opened the door for Toyota to claim the manufacturers’ title. The upcoming season promises another tight battle.
“This year has been very close up to the end. The points system was a bit, let’s say, tricky. So I hope this will change to make it a bit more fair next season,” Ogier said, referencing the updates to the scoring system for 2025.
“But proper competition is always exciting, and I’m looking forward to it,” the French star concluded.
The season begins in late January with the Rally Monte Carlo, where Ogier will also be competing.
