The stakes couldn’t be higher for Lyssia Baudet, Suvi Jyrkiäinen, and Claire Schönborn as they prepare to battle it out in this week’s Central European Rally (CER). Armed with Ford Fiesta Rally3 cars, the trio is fighting for more than just rally success – they’re vying for a career-defining opportunity: a full season in the 2025 Junior WRC.
Having emerged as the top contenders from a rigorous selection process involving 15 talented hopefuls, these three women now face their final and toughest test yet as part of the Beyond Rally Women’s Driver Development Program. Their performance this weekend could make or break their ambitions, with judges carefully watching their every move.
A Rally Test with Real Stakes
Last month’s evaluation in Kraków at M-Sport Poland put the finalists through their paces with tests ranging from driving skills to media savviness and mechanical knowledge. But now, in the World Rally Championship arena, the competition steps up a gear. Competing against the clock – and each other – in a real rally event brings a new level of pressure.
Adding to the tension, Baudet, Jyrkiäinen, and Schönborn will be judged not just on outright speed. Their ability to handle the technical demands of a full WRC round will be under scrutiny, with judges Pernilla Solberg, Burcu Çetinkaya, and Isolde Holderied, among others, on hand to assess their rally-readiness. Joining the panel for this final test is WRC event director Simon Larkin.
While all three drivers will be up against ten other competitors in the Rally3 class, they won’t simply be judged on where they finish. The selection committee is looking for the driver who exhibits the most promise under pressure, versatility, and technical understanding – not just the fastest lap times.
The Contestants: Backgrounds and Tactics
- Lyssia Baudet (21) from Belgium started her motorsport career on circuits before switching to rallying in 2022. Her experience with front-wheel-drive cars, including the Renault Clio Rally5, will be tested as she steps into the more powerful Fiesta Rally3. Baudet has been honing her skills in the ADAC Open e-Rally Cup, which may give her an edge in adapting to the conditions.
- Suvi Jyrkiäinen (24) from Finland brings experience from the Finnish Ladies Cup, where she has piloted a front-wheel-drive Ford Fiesta 1.6. With Antti Linnaketo, an experienced co-driver, by her side, Jyrkiäinen hopes to replicate the Finnish rally tradition of excelling on international stages.
- Claire Schönborn (25) from Germany might be the least experienced in rallying, but she has been making rapid progress. Having competed in slaloms and hill climbs before transitioning to the ADAC Opel e-Rally Cup, she recently added vital competitive mileage by contesting the Herbst Rally in Austria – a valuable warm-up for this weekend’s challenge.
What’s at Stake
The pressure is on for these three women to deliver, not just against each other but also against the demands of a world-class WRC event. For Schönborn, there’s the added advantage of competing on familiar roads, as the CER crosses into her home country of Germany. Could local knowledge give her the edge?
The decision on who will secure the coveted Junior WRC seat won’t be based solely on final positions, though. Judges will be evaluating their overall potential – from driving technique to how they handle high-pressure situations – and ultimately, who they believe has the most promise for a future in rallying.
As the rally unfolds, Baudet, Jyrkiäinen, and Schönborn have a chance to prove they’re ready to take on the world’s best in the Junior WRC. The winner will be announced after the Central European Rally concludes on Sunday, a moment that could mark the beginning of a breakthrough rally career for one of these talented women.
