The FIA Rally Star teams truly made a mark as they kicked off the 2025 FIA Junior WRC Championship at Rally Sweden. Taylor Gill and Dan Brkic stole the show with a sensational win, while Max Smart and Cameron Fair displayed moments of brilliance despite a rocky weekend.
Making his WRC2 debut, former Junior WRC champion Romet Jürgenson, with Siim Oja by his side, quickly adjusted to the new car dynamics. He skillfully navigated his M-Sport Ford Fiesta Rally2 to finish seventh overall and sixth in the WRC2 Challenger Championship. Though his experience with the car was limited, the Estonian showed rapid improvement throughout the event, particularly shining on Sunday’s challenging 30-kilometer stages. His knack for maintaining pace and collaborating effectively with his M-Sport team underscored his potential in this highly competitive arena.
Taylor Gill clinched his second Junior WRC win, expertly maneuvering through treacherous conditions with grace and poise. Initially targeting a podium finish, Gill benefitted from Mille Johansson’s off-road detour to seize the lead. From then on, the Australian delivered a flawless performance, managing his lead precisely and crossing the finish line with a 22.8-second advantage.
Gill and Brkic are quickly becoming fan favorites in the Nordics. Their move to Finland for FIA Rally Star training has clearly paid off, marking their second Nordic victory after their breakthrough at Rally Finland in 2024.
Max Smart’s weekend saw both ups and downs. A strong start with a stage win on Friday turned challenging on Saturday with a snowbank incident leading to his retirement. However, he came back strong on Sunday, nearly clocking the fastest time in the Power Stage, missing out by just 0.068 seconds. Despite the final outcome, Smart’s resilience and growth were evident.
The meticulous preparation of the FIA Rally Star program shone through in the performances of all three drivers, who are developing impressively. With Rally Sweden serving as a valuable learning experience, these crews eagerly anticipate their next rounds. Gill and Smart will focus on the second round of the FIA Junior WRC Championship in Portugal from May 15th-21st. Known for its unpredictable terrain and weather, Portugal will test both driver skill and vehicle durability.
Meanwhile, Romet Jürgenson will tackle the East Riding Stages on February 23rd in a Rally2 car, kicking off the British Rally Championship, and will follow up with the WRC2 campaign at Rally Islas Canarias in Spain from April 24th-27th.
Jérôme Roussel, FIA Rally Star Project Leader, expressed optimism about Rally Sweden, highlighting Romet’s impressive WRC2 debut. Despite limited experience with the Rally2 car, Jürgenson showed remarkable maturity. His intelligent approach and significant improvement between stages were commendable. Finishing sixth in the WRC2 Challenger on his first try was outstanding. He has effectively adapted and works well with M-Sport to refine car setups. Facing his next tarmac challenge in the Canary Islands will be another big step, but Roussel is confident in his continued progress.
Taylor’s Junior WRC victory was noteworthy. Initially aiming for a podium, fate turned when Johansson had an incident, handing Gill the lead. He expertly managed this advantage to secure the win, showcasing the necessary composure for a championship fight. With an excellent start, his journey in the championship looks promising.
Max faced some hurdles, but his stage win on Friday demonstrated potential. Despite a setback on Saturday, he bounced back on Sunday, nearly winning the Power Stage. His growth over the weekend was encouraging, with more development expected.
Rally Sweden was also significant as it marked the end of Max Smart’s partnership with co-driver Cameron Fair after two seasons. Roussel expressed gratitude for Fair’s contributions to the team and Max’s development.
Thanks go out to the M-Sport teams and Rally Sweden organizers for their hard work in challenging conditions. The season’s start was positive, and anticipation builds for the drivers’ performances in upcoming events.
Jürgenson reflected on his first WRC2 event as a great success. The pace showed potential, learning about the car in varying conditions, and knowing improvement is on the horizon. The goal was a 6th to 8th finish, and landing 7th fits perfectly with their plan.
Moving up to WRC2 is a new challenge with a new car and setup, bringing many possibilities. The team at M-Sport was instrumental in maximizing performance.
Taylor Gill shared his excitement over the win, exceeding expectations. Sitting second behind Johansson was the plan, with podium hopes. But when fate shifted the lead his way, he adeptly maintained it to the end. The support from fans and hearing the Australian anthem was a unique honor.
Max Smart found the weekend long and challenging but ending on a high with Friday’s stage win and a strong Sunday performance was gratifying. Sweden was not only a race but a milestone marking the last collaboration with co-driver Cameron Fair, an invaluable learning partnership over two years.
The 2025 FIA Junior WRC Championship rounds out as follows:
– Rally Sweden: February 13-16
– Vodafone Rally de Portugal: April 15-18
– EKO Acropolis Rally Greece: June 26-29
– Secto Rally Finland: July 31-August 3
– Central European Rally: October 16-19
For more insights on the FIA Rally Star programme, follow @FIARallyStar on social media.
