Rally Sweden 2025 was nothing short of spectacular—six lead changes, a razor-thin 3.8-second victory margin, and the top four separated by just 17 seconds. But beyond the thrilling lead battle, this rally delivered some defining moments that could shape the entire WRC season.
From Elfyn Evans’ dominant statement to Adrien Fourmaux’s emotional collapse and Kalle Rovanperä’s unexpected struggles, here’s what we learned from this dramatic snow-covered showdown.
Elfyn Evans: A Championship Favorite Emerges
Where has this version of Elfyn Evans been the past few years? Confident, aggressive, and completely in control, he’s never looked this sharp to start a season.
With two rounds down and 12 to go, it’s too early to declare him the outright title favorite, but a 28-point lead and a maximum 35-pointer in Sweden have put him in the best position of his career.
His rivals are already on the ropes—if they don’t close the gap in Kenya, Evans could run away with the championship.
Takamoto Katsuta’s Redemption Arc
After being benched from Rally Chile last year, Takamoto Katsuta had something to prove. And he did—in style.
Fast, composed, and fearless, Katsuta stayed in the lead fight from start to finish. Unlike last year, when he threw away a podium chance by planting his car in a snowbank, this time, he was flawless.
While missing out on victory was a bitter pill, the bigger picture is clear—Katsuta has officially arrived as a serious WRC contender.
Adrien Fourmaux: Speed Is There, but So Are the Emotions
Adrien Fourmaux’s raw pace is undeniable. He was right there in the five-way fight for the win. But his Saturday meltdown showed that his emotions still get the better of him.
A bizarre helmet strap issue forced him to stop mid-stage, and frustration boiled over. Instead of resetting, he went on a rampage, winning the next stage before crashing just three corners into the next one.
Even he admitted: “Probably I wanted to do too much.”
The speed is there, but until Fourmaux learns to control his emotions, he won’t be a true championship contender.
Kalle Rovanperä’s Achilles’ Heel?
For the first time, Kalle Rovanperä is showing weakness.
His struggles with the new-for-2025 Hankook tires continued in Sweden, and his inability to adapt cost him any chance of fighting for the win.
This isn’t just a Sweden problem—gravel rallies are the backbone of the WRC season, and if Rovanperä doesn’t figure out his tire setup before Kenya, his title defense could be in serious trouble.
Hyundai’s Upgrades: Real Improvement or Just Hype?
Hyundai’s long-awaited i20 N Rally1 updates debuted in Sweden, but were they the game-changer the team needed?
Team boss Cyril Abiteboul played it safe, claiming they weren’t designed for Sweden specifically, while Gerard Jan de Jongh suggested they should work everywhere.
The verdict? Mixed. The understeer and balance issues that have plagued Hyundai still seem to be a problem.
The real test will come in gravel-heavy rallies like Estonia, Finland, and Chile. If the car doesn’t improve there, Hyundai could be in for another frustrating season.
Josh McErlean: A Tale of Two Rallies
At Monte Carlo, Josh McErlean wasn’t the fastest, but he kept his car clean and grabbed an impressive seventh-place finish.
In Sweden? The opposite. The Irishman showed blistering pace—beating two world champions (Neuville and Rovanperä) on a stage—but then made a crucial mistake, burying his Ford Puma Rally1 in a snowbank.
The takeaway? He’s fast. He just needs consistency.
Mārtiņš Sesks: The Hype Is Real
Was Mārtiņš Sesks’ explosive 2024 form a fluke? Rally Sweden provided the answer: Absolutely not.
He outperformed highly-rated Finn Sami Pajari—on roads that should have favored the Toyota driver—and clinched a hard-fought sixth-place finish.
For a driver still trying to prove he deserves a full-time WRC seat, this was the perfect way to start his 2025 campaign.
What’s Next?
With Evans in complete control, Rovanperä struggling, and Hyundai’s upgrades raising more questions than answers, the WRC season is heating up fast.
Kenya is next. And if Evans dominates there too, the 2025 title race might be over before it even begins.
