RallyJournal.com’s reporters Toni Heinonen, Aki Hietavala, Ville Hirvonen, and Pentti-Oskari Ilmonen have peered into their crystal balls and now share their predictions for the 2025 season.
The journalists made their forecasts without seeing each other’s, making it astonishing that three of them arrived at exactly the same prediction, which would spell a harsh fate for Kalle Rovanperä.
So, who will win the 2025 championship? Will Rovanperä claim his third title, or will the series crown an entirely new champion?
Toni Heinonen
1. Kalle Rovanperä still won’t conquer Rally Finland
Last year, loose rock cost Rovanperä the win on the penultimate stage. This time, Toyota’s reliability will let him down.
2. Sebastien Ogier won’t complain about tyres
The WRC’s new tyre supplier, Hankook, delivers surprisingly durable tyres, leaving Ogier with little to say on his favourite topic compared to the Pirelli era
3. Gregoire Munster scores a podium finish
The much-criticised Luxembourger takes a big step forward and achieves his first career podium during the latter half of the season.

4. Rumours swirl around Hyundai, but the team confirms its WRC future
Hyundai has been the subject of numerous rumours in recent seasons, and this year is no different. In the summer, speculation arises that the factory team might exit the WRC after the 2025 season. However, in the autumn, the team confirms its participation in 2026 and announces the development of a new car for the 2027 season.
5. The WRC crowns a new champion
Thierry Neuville fails to defend his title, and Kalle Rovanperä doesn’t secure his third. Instead, Hyundai’s Ott Tänak and Toyota’s Elfyn Evans battle for the title in the final round in Saudi Arabia. Ultimately, the series crowns a new champion: Welshman Elfyn Evans.
Aki Hietavala
1. Kalle Rovanperä reclaims the championship title
Last season proved that Kalle’s pace is still a notch above the rest. With a full schedule ahead, Rovanperä can afford to play it safe when needed. The WRC season doesn’t allow for zero-point rallies, and Rovanperä secures his third career title.
2. Adrien Fourmaux wins a rally
The French ace surged to the top of the rallying world last season with M-Sport Ford, scoring five podiums. Now, with Hyundai’s Rally1 car, he will win at least one rally this year—mark my words. His victory might come surprisingly early, potentially at the Safari Rally in March.
3. Elfyn Evans returns to form
Evans never fully adapted to Rally1 hybrid cars. With hybrid units now a thing of the past, Evans might surprise with his strength this season. Before the hybrid era, Evans posed a serious challenge to Sebastien Ogier for the WRC title. This year, he might challenge Rovanperä. If Evans regains his form, Toyota will dominate the manufacturers’ championship.
4. Sami Pajari earns more than one podium
Pajari came close to a podium on his debut in Finland last summer. While his priority is to gain experience, even a cautious approach can lead to podiums if others falter. Pajari secures his first top-tier podium by Sardinia and finishes the season with 2–3 podiums.

5. No new manufacturers join the WRC
Throughout the year, the media will speculate wildly about new manufacturers entering the WRC. However, it will all amount to nothing but talk from the WRC’s Promoter. No Subaru, no Lancia, no one else. At worst, Hyundai might announce by year’s end that it will withdraw after 2026, transitioning to a customer team.
Ville Hirvonen
1. Kalle Rovanperä wins his third title and retires
Kalle Rovanperä wins his third world championship, after which his motivation for competing in full WRC seasons fades. The young Finn has stated that he wants to experience different forms of motorsport. After securing his third title, he will have nothing left to prove in rallying—if he ever did at this stage. Rovanperä will undoubtedly remain involved in rallying in the future, but he won’t compete in another full season after the upcoming one.
2. Adrien Fourmaux claims his first WRC win
Having moved to Hyundai, the Frenchman builds on his momentum from last season, where he achieved five podiums with M-Sport. His first victory may rely on others’ misfortunes, but a win is a win. In one rally, the entire top three faces issues on the final day, allowing Fourmaux to capitalise for his maiden victory.
3. Kalle Rovanperä and Ott Tänak engage in a thrilling title fight
Tänak, eager to make up for last season, challenges Rovanperä fiercely. The title race comes down to a few points and is decided on the final Power Stage of the season, delivering nail-biting drama.
4. Rovanperä still won’t win Rally Finland
Once again, Rovanperä leads Rally Finland from start to near finish, only to crash out. Whether it’s a rock or some other mishap, his Toyota ends up deep in the forest. The victory goes to Tänak, who takes the championship lead. In Jyväskylä, pubs break sales records as jubilant Estonians and disappointed Finns drown their emotions.
5. Sebastien Ogier retires
Both Rovanperä and Ogier announce their retirements almost simultaneously. While Ogier may still compete at Monte Carlo in 2026, he won’t commit to even a partial season. The Frenchman will leave the door slightly open for a potential future return.

Pentti-Oskari Ilmonen
1. Kalle Rovanperä wins his third title, securing it in Central Europe
After a sabbatical, Rovanperä demonstrated last season that his pace remains unmatched. Kalle won half of the rallies he entered, and in those he didn’t win, he crashed out while leading. If the mistakes are eliminated, Kalle will be a strong contender, as rally victories hold greater importance this season.
2. Josh McErlean retires from the first three rallies
The challenging conditions of the opening rallies prove too much for the WRC newcomer. However, I sincerely hope McErlean surprises and proves me wrong.
3. Martins Sesks outpaces his teammates in three out of six rallies
The Latvian focuses on gaining experience, but he will shine on summer gravel rallies, finishing ahead of his teammates multiple times.

4. Kalle Rovanperä won’t win Rally Finland again
I’m not superstitious, but after last season, I’m convinced Rovanperä is cursed when it comes to Rally Finland.
5. Adrien Fourmaux’s season becomes a disaster
I fear the Frenchman will push too hard, and his first Hyundai season will be remembered as a spectacular failure.