If you’re a motorsport junkie, you know there’s something about rallying that just hits differently. It’s not just about the roar of engines or the sight of cars gracefully hurtling around hairpin turns—it's the epic landscapes, the battle against the elements, and of course, the competitive spirit that lights up the winter. And oh boy, did the 2025 WRC Rally Sweden deliver the goods!
Based in the University town of Umeå, Northern Sweden, this year’s event marked the second round of the World Rally Championship (WRC) and was a sight to behold. Being the only snow event on the championship calendar, one could say Rally Sweden is the place where drivers trade their gravel & tarmac tyres for spiked snow tyres, gliding through 300 kilometers of icy roads across a mix of eighteen gruelling stages. The thrill of watching these drivers tackle challenging conditions while pushing their machines to the limits is simply electrifying.
Celebrating its 72nd edition, this rally has a proud history, and the icy trails it offers are a true test of skill, determination, and perhaps a bit of Nordic magic. And speaking of magic, let’s dive into how the event unfolded, shall we?
The headline of the weekend was undoubtedly Elfyn Evans, who took home top honors for the second time in his career at this rally. Behind the wheel of a Toyota Yaris GR1, Evans showcased his mastery of snow and ice, guiding his car with the finesse of a seasoned winter driver. This year marked not only his second win in Sweden but also his tenth career victory in the WRC. I guess you could say he’s really got the snow game dialed in!
Evans first claimed victory in Sweden back in 2020, and one has to wonder if he’s channeling some secret strategy that’s kept him on top of the snow-encased leaderboard. With a combination of grit and a well-tuned race car, he steered flawlessly through the icy terrains, blending speed with precision navigation—a true champion’s performance.
But the magic didn’t stop there. In the WRC 2 category, we were treated to a thrilling display from Oliver Solberg, the incredibly talented 21-year-old and son of the legendary 2003 world champion Petter Solberg. Co-driven by the equally impressive Brit, Elliot Edmondson, Oliver showed that he’s more than just living in his father’s shadow. Driving a Toyota Yaris for the second time, he claimed his third consecutive WRC 2 victory in Sweden! What is it about this charming family of rally stars? Clearly, rally is in their blood, and it’s inspiring to see the next generation coming up with a storm!
The atmosphere during the rally was electric, as fans cheered and celebrated the successes of their local heroes. But it wasn't just about the wins; it was also about breaking barriers and promoting inclusivity in motorsport. A noteworthy highlight during the event was the Beyond Rally Women’s Driver Development Program. German driver Claire Schönborn shone like a star, winning this impressive initiative designed to promote female driver participation in motorsport. Claire was victorious in the ‘winner takes all’ shoot-out with Belgian Lyssia Baudet, emerging as recipient of a fully funded drive for the upcoming Junior WRC season. Talk about a groundbreaking moment!
FIA World Rally Championship drivers' standings 1. Elfyn Evans (Great Britain), Toyota, 61 points 2. Sebastien Ogier (France), Toyota, 33 3. Kalle Rovanpera (Finland), Toyota, 31 4. Thierry Neuville (Belgium), Hyundai, 29 5. Ott Tanak (Estonia), Hyundai, 26 6. Takamoto Katsuta (Japan), 25 7. Adrien Fourmaux (France), Ford, 21 💪🏼💪🏼🏁
With a backdrop of snow-blanketed forests and the thrill of the rallying community, the 2025 Rally Sweden proved to be more than just a race and rankings. It showcased the spirit of competition and camaraderie that drives the entire sport. Teams and drivers rallied together, pushing each other to their limits—but also sharing laughs and the occasional hot beverage to ward off the icy chills.
📷Courtesy of ALISTAIR FARQUHAR / AF MOTORSPORT MEDIA
ARTICLE SPONSORED BY SPONSORS4RACING
