The FIA Rally Star programme will present further assist to rising star Romet Jurgenson and has opted to retain Taylor Gill and Max Sensible to contest the 2025 FIA Junior WRC.
The three drivers have impressed after incomes choice into the FIA’s fully-funded programme that goals to unearth future WRC expertise.
Jose Caparo (Peru), Gill (Australia), Jurgenson (Estonia) and Sensible (South Africa) impressed judges to earn absolutely funded drives on this yr’s Junior WRC.
This yr was supposed to be a studying yr though Jurgenson and Gill discovered themselves locked in a combat for the Junior WRC title with the previous popping out on high.
Because of this, the 24-year-old will obtain a fully-funded drive within the WRC’s second tier WRC2 class. FIA rally Star has now confirmed it’ll lengthen its assist from 4 occasions to 6 subsequent yr. Jurgenson will pilot an M-Sport-build Ford Fiesta Rally2 though his occasion schedule is but to be introduced.
“We have been already wanting ahead to doing 4 WRC2 occasions with M-Sport as our prize for successful the Junior WRC title however to get two further occasions because of the assist of FIA Rally Star is de facto nice and I can’t thank the FIA sufficient,” stated Jurgenson.
“As in 2024, I’m making an attempt my finest so as to add some occasions with my very own sponsors, however the general goal is to get the utmost out of the yr when it comes to expertise and creating as a Rally2 driver. It’s a brand new class for me, new automobile, new speeds, new occasions…
“Every thing is completely different, however I nonetheless wish to present my potential sooner or later within the yr so it’s not all about gaining expertise, but additionally to indicate my pace, which is de facto necessary for persevering with my profession.”
Romet Jurgenson, Oja Siim, Ford Fiesta R3
Photograph by: Jaanus Ree – Crimson Bull Content material Pool
After analysing in depth information and contemplating the suggestions of the FIA Rally Star workforce of specialists, the FIA Rally Star Committee agreed that Gill and Sensible will embark on their second seasons within the Junior WRC in 2025. Caparo and co-driver Esther Gutierrez will now not be a part of the programme.
“Since they have been chosen for the FIA Rally Star programme, Max, Romet and Taylor haven’t solely demonstrated their expertise but additionally their dedication and it’s solely proper they’ve been rewarded with additional alternatives to be taught and progress in 2025, stated FIA Deputy President for Sport Robert Reid.
“On the similar time, it’s an additional demonstration of the success of FIA Rally Star that younger hopefuls with restricted expertise who got here via from grassroots stage by way of choice occasions organised by FIA Member Golf equipment are getting ready to embark on their second seasons within the FIA World Rally Championship.
“It will incentivise different aspiring WRC champions to start out their motorsport adventures by becoming a member of their FIA Member Membership and discovering the probabilities that exist.
“I’d additionally prefer to thank Abito and Esther for his or her contributions to FIA Rally Star and I stay up for seeing how the learnings and expertise from this programme assist them of their future motor sport journeys.”