As the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) enters its second round of the 2025 season, the picturesque winter landscape of Sweden’s Västerbotten region is set to host the iconic Rally Sweden from February 13-16. This pure winter fixture will test the skills and endurance of the world’s best rally drivers as they navigate the treacherous ice-packed roads and battle for supremacy in the heart of Sweden’s frozen wilderness.
The Rally1 Cars: Lighter, Simpler, and More Affordable
The 2025 season brings significant changes to the Rally1 cars, with the WRC focusing on making the vehicles lighter, simpler, and more affordable. The plug-in hybrid units used over the past three years have been removed, resulting in a reduction of the minimum weight from 1260 kilograms to 1180 kilograms. To maintain the power-to-weight ratio, the air restrictor size has been reduced from 36mm to 35mm. Additionally, the cars will continue to use 100 percent fossil-free fuel, showcasing the WRC’s commitment to sustainability.
Hankook Tire: The New Official Tyre Supplier
Rally Sweden 2025 marks the debut of Hankook Tire as the WRC’s new official tyre supplier. All four-wheel-drive cars will be equipped with Hankook’s Winter i*Pike SR10W tyres, featuring tungsten-tipped steel studs that bite into the ice, providing crucial grip for the drivers. The snowbanks lining the stages will also play a vital role, offering additional stability through the high-speed corners. Rally1 teams are allowed a maximum of 28 tyres throughout the event.
The Magic of Rally Sweden
Rally Sweden’s unique character is defined by its ice-coated roads, compacted snowbanks, and freezing temperatures. These elements combine to create a magical atmosphere and a demanding challenge for the competitors. The long-range weather forecasts for host city Umeå and the surrounding areas indicate that these conditions will be in abundant supply, setting the stage for an unforgettable rally experience.
A Revised Route for 2025
The organizers have made several changes to the Rally Sweden route for the 2025 edition. Notable additions include the 3.44-kilometre Strandpromenaden Shakedown stage in central Umeå, as well as the Andersvattnet and Bäck stages on Friday and Kolksele on Saturday.
The competitive action kicks off on Thursday evening with the first pass of the Umeå Sprint stage, featuring a spectacular closing section at the Red Barn Arena spectator complex. Friday’s itinerary consists of three repeated stages on either side of the service in Umeå, starting with the demanding 28.27-kilometre Bygdsiljum test. The day concludes with a second run through the Umeå Sprint stage.
Saturday’s leg comprises two visits to the Kolksele, Sarsjöliden, and Vännäs stages, along with a dress rehearsal of the 10.08-kilometre Umeå Power Stage. The final day, Sunday, remains unchanged from the 2024 edition, with two runs through the 29.35-kilometre Västervik stage, followed by the decisive Umeå Power Stage at 12:15 local time.
The Rally1 Contenders
Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team
Reigning champion Thierry Neuville leads the Hyundai charge, joined by 2023 Rally Sweden winner Ott Tänak and Frenchman Adrien Fourmaux, who impressed with a third-place finish in his Hyundai debut at Rallye Monte-Carlo.
M-Sport Ford World Rally Team
Grégoire Munster embarks on his second full season in a Rally1 car, while Josh McErlean steps up from FIA WRC2 to drive the second Ford Puma Rally1. Latvian Mārtiṇš Sesks and Greek Jourdan Serderidis complete the M-Sport lineup.
Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team
With Sébastien Ogier absent, Elfyn Evans and Kalle Rovanperä, both former Rally Sweden winners, lead the Toyota charge. Takamoto Katsuta, Sami Pajari, and privateer Lorenzo Bertelli round out the five-car Toyota entry.
Supporting Categories: WRC2, WRC3, and Junior WRC
The FIA WRC2 and WRC3 categories boast strong entry lists, with 20 and 22 crews, respectively. Sweden’s Oliver Solberg and Estonia’s Georg Linnamäe are among the favorites in WRC2, while Paraguay’s Diego Domínguez aims to continue his WRC3 title defense.
The FIA Junior WRC Championship also begins in Sweden, with 12 drivers competing in identical Ford Fiesta Rally3 cars on Hankook tyres. The event holds special significance for the WRC Young Driver Team, as Claire Schönborn and Lyssia Baudet go head-to-head to secure the seat for the remainder of the Junior WRC season.
FIA Rally Star graduates Taylor Gill, Max Smart, and Romet Jürgenson make their debuts in various categories, while Swedes Mille Johansson and Johan Grönvall start their Junior WRC campaign as a reward for winning the 2024 FIA Junior ERC Championship.
Rally Sweden 2025 promises to be a thrilling second chapter in the WRC season, as drivers battle the elements and each other on the snow-covered stages of Västerbotten. With new regulations, a fresh tyre supplier, and a revised route, the event is set to deliver an unforgettable spectacle for rally fans worldwide…
