Get ready for an epic showdown as the 2025 FIA World Rally Championship reaches its thrilling conclusion! The battle for the world champion title is about to ignite in the all-new Rally Saudia Arabia.
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team is bringing an incredible lineup to the final round, with drivers Elfyn Evans, Sébastien Ogier, and Kalle Rovanperä ready to leave it all on the track.
This year has been a remarkable one for TGR-WRT, with an impressive 12 wins out of 13 rounds so far. Having already secured their fifth consecutive manufacturers’ title, the team is now focused on the drivers’ and co-drivers’ crowns, with three talented crews in the running.
But here’s where it gets controversial…
Currently leading the standings, Evans and his co-driver Scott Martin have been incredibly consistent, finishing every rally in the top six. With two wins and six podiums under their belt, they’re a force to be reckoned with. However, Ogier, just three points behind, is determined to make history by achieving his ninth world championship, a record-equalling feat.
And this is the part most people miss…
Rovanperä, along with his co-driver Jonne Halttunen, is also in the running for his third world title. With three wins and two podiums this season, he aims to close a 24-point gap in his final WRC appearance before an exciting switch to single-seater circuit racing next year.
In addition to the main contenders, Takamoto Katsuta and Aaron Johnston, along with the TGR-WRT2 crew of Sami Pajari and Marko Salminen, will be behind the wheel of the GR YARIS Rally1 cars in Saudi Arabia. Fresh from their maiden WRC podium at Rally Japan, they’re eager to make their mark.
For the final round, the TGR-WRT entries will sport the silver livery used in the European summer rallies, a popular choice among fans and a practical one too, as the lighter shade helps keep the cars and crews cool by reflecting the sun’s heat.
Based in Jeddah, the rally promises an adventure into the unknown with a mix of mountain, volcano, and desert terrain. The gravel roads vary from smooth and fast to softer desert sections and rocky paths, challenging drivers to find the perfect balance between speed and reliability.
The service park is located near the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, and the rally kicks off on Wednesday evening with an asphalt super special stage. Thursday sees two loops of three stages, followed by the longest day on Friday with 141.72 competitive kilometers. The rally concludes on Saturday with three tests, including the potentially decisive Power Stage at Thahban.
Nine GR Yaris Rally2 cars will be competing, the most entered for any car. This year’s WRC2 champion, Oliver Solberg, will be gaining valuable insights into the event, joined by other competitors registered for WRC2 points. Additionally, Saudi driver Hamza Bakhashab, whose father raced Toyota cars in the WRC from 1998 to 2002, and Spaniard Miguel Díaz-Aboitiz will be representing the GR Yaris Rally2 ranks.
Here’s what the key players had to say:
Juha Kankkunen (Deputy Team Principal): “Rally Saudi Arabia will be a very interesting final round. It’s close between Elfyn and Seb, and I expect a big fight. Kalle still has a chance, and on a new rally like this, anything can happen. Our goal is to provide a strong car for all our drivers and see who emerges as the world champion.”
Elfyn Evans (Driver car 33): “We’re going to Saudi Arabia knowing the championship is still up for grabs. Seb is a tough opponent, performing at a high level, and Kalle is still in the mix. It will be challenging, but we’ll give it our all. None of us knows what to expect; it’s a clean slate for everyone. We’ll focus on doing our best and see what happens.”
Kalle Rovanperä (Driver car 69): “The championship isn’t in our hands anymore, but we still have a chance. The stages look tricky with rocks, so anything can happen. We’ll focus on doing our best and getting a good result, and hope the others have a bad day. Whatever happens, we want to finish this chapter nicely.”
Sébastien Ogier (Driver car 17): “The battle with Elfyn at Rally Japan was intense, and we closed the gap before the final round. It’s been a strong year, and I’ve enjoyed driving the car. Hopefully, this new rally will be an exciting finale. Nobody has much experience, so there could be surprises. May the best driver win!”
Takamoto Katsuta (Driver car 18): “I’m excited to discover Rally Saudi Arabia. It looks tough, similar to Kenya in some places. I hope to finish the year positively and take that into next season.”
Sami Pajari (Driver car 5): “Achieving our first podium at Rally Japan was great, showing our progress with the Rally1 car. Now we have a completely new challenge in Saudi Arabia. I’m guessing it might be like Kenya, where a steady approach paid off, but we’ll see what challenges we face.”
So, who do you think will emerge as the world champion? Will Evans maintain his lead, or will Ogier or Rovanperä pull off an upset? Share your predictions and thoughts in the comments below!