The 2025 FIA World Rally Championship culminates this week with the inaugural Rally Saudi Arabia, November 26-29, where a tense battle for the drivers’ title between Elfyn Evans, Sébastien ogier, and Kalle Rovanperä will unfold across the challenging terrain near Jeddah. Toyota Gazoo Racing enters the event having already clinched its fifth consecutive manufacturers’ championship-tying a WRC record for single-season success-but the focus now shifts to its drivers as they vie for individual glory. This event marks the WRC’s first foray into Saudi Arabia, promising a unique test for competitors and a dramatic finale to the season.
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia – The 2025 FIA World Rally Championship will come down to a thrilling showdown at the inaugural Rally Saudi Arabia, November 26-29, as Elfyn Evans, Sébastien Ogier, and Kalle Rovanperä battle for the drivers’ championship.
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team heads into the final round of the season with a chance to add to a record-breaking year. The team has already secured its fifth consecutive manufacturers’ title, boasting 12 wins in the 13 rallies completed so far – equaling the best single-season performance by any manufacturer in WRC history. Now, all eyes turn to its drivers as they compete for the coveted drivers’ and co-drivers’ crowns.
Elfyn Evans and co-driver Scott Martin currently lead the championship standings, building their campaign on remarkable consistency. They’ve finished inside the top six in every rally this season, securing two victories and six additional podium finishes, including four consecutive second-place results.
Just three points behind Evans, Sébastien Ogier and co-driver Vincent Landais are aiming for a record-equalling ninth world championship title – and a first for Landais. The duo has reached the podium in nine of their ten starts this year, claiming six wins along the way.
Kalle Rovanperä and Jonne Halttunen remain in contention for a third world title, despite trailing by 24 points. This will be Rovanperä’s final WRC start before transitioning to single-seater circuit racing with TGR support next year, adding an extra layer of intrigue to his performance. He’ll be looking to close the gap and potentially secure a dramatic championship finish.
Takamoto Katsuta and Aaron Johnston will also be competing in GR YARIS Rally1 cars, alongside the TGR-WRT2 crew of Sami Pajari and Marko Salminen, who recently secured their maiden WRC podium at Rally Japan.
For the final round, the four main TGR-WRT entries will sport a silver livery, previously used during the European summer rallies. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the lighter color is designed to reflect sunlight and help keep drivers and crews cool amidst the challenging Saudi Arabian heat.
Rally Saudi Arabia marks the WRC’s first venture into the region, promising a unique test for competitors. Based in Jeddah, the event will feature a diverse range of terrain, including mountains, volcanic landscapes, and desert sections. Crews can expect to encounter smooth, fast gravel roads alongside softer desert sands and rough, rocky stretches, demanding a versatile car setup and driving style.
The rally begins Wednesday evening with an asphalt super special stage near the Jeddah Corniche Circuit. Thursday includes two loops of three stages to the north, followed by a longer day on Friday with 141.72 competitive kilometers across two loops of three stages. The event culminates on Saturday with three stages, including two passes of Thahban – the second run serving as the potentially decisive Power Stage.
Nine GR Yaris Rally2 cars are entered in Rally Saudi Arabia, more than any other model. Oliver Solberg, the reigning WRC2 champion recently confirmed for a TGR-WRT Rally1 drive in 2026, will use the event to gain valuable experience. Other WRC2 contenders include Roope Korhonen, Jan Solans, Alejandro Cachón, Diego Domínguez, Kajetan Kajetanowicz, and Fabio Schwarz. Saudi driver Hamza Bakhashab, whose father Abdullah competed with Toyota in the WRC from 1998-2002, and Spaniard Miguel Díaz-Aboitiz will also join the GR Yaris Rally2 ranks.
Quotes:
Juha Kankkunen (Deputy Team Principal)
“Rally Saudi Arabia is going to be very interesting as the final round of the championship. It’s so close now between Elfyn and Seb, and I’m sure it will be a big fight between them. Kalle still has a chance as well, and on a new rally like this, anything could happen. We do have some information from the Middle East championship event this year and from what I’ve heard, there should be quite a mix of different stages, with sections similar to roads we have in Greece and other parts that are more open through the desert. There can also be a lot of new things that the team and drivers will need to adapt to during the event. Our goal is to give a strong car to all of our drivers that allows them to fight, and we’ll see which one of them becomes the world champion.”
