Ali Turkkan has finally secured the Junior WRC title after finishing second in Rally Chile. The result was enough to clinch the crown in his third season, avoiding the disappointment of the previous two years when he finished third. Ali Turkkan now joins an elite list of drivers who have won the JWRC title, including Sebastien Ogier, Sebastien Loeb, Elfyn Evans, and Sami Pajari.
For Turkkan, this was his last chance as he is no longer eligible for JWRC next season. "It was all clear for us. From the beginning the target was to win, as always, and we won the championship at the end of the day. We are super, super happy. Sadly, it’s too far to my country, so my family couldn’t be here with us. But I will be in Turkey in two days so we can cheer together," he said with a sigh.
The 27-year-old Turk had shown speed for a while. In the previous two seasons, he consistently finished third in the standings. However, lack of experience and some unlucky moments prevented him from reaching the top. This season, everything clicked. "Because this is my final year in the juniors, I had to succeed now. There was no other opportunity left. But I think that when you know you can do it, it may take one season or perhaps four. In the end, though, you will succeed because only you know your true potential," he added.
The prize for this title is significant: four free WRC2 outings in Ford machinery next season, plus tyre support from Hankook. This is a major stepping stone for Turkkan, who will move to a higher international stage. M-Sport, the team running Ford in WRC, will surely be monitoring this young driver closely.
In addition to the title, Turkkan was also awarded the Craig Breen Trophy. This trophy is presented to the JWRC driver who displays the same admirable character traits that Breen showed during his career. Breen, who died in a testing accident in 2024, also won the JWRC title in 2011. "It means a lot because he was a great person. He was a great athlete and I hope he rest in peace, so it’s very beautiful to get involved to something that carries his name. That’s very, very special for us," Turkkan said.
Turkkan's victory is also proof that perseverance and self-belief pay off. Although his family couldn't be in Chile due to the distance, he plans to celebrate the title with them in Turkey two days later. With this title, Turkkan closes his junior chapter in the best possible way. Now the motorsport world will be watching him in WRC2 next season, where he will try to prove that his potential doesn't stop at the junior level. Given the list of names who have won the JWRC title before, it's not impossible that Turkkan will become the next big star in rallying.
Baca Juga
Pembalap WRC berharap Rally Chile tetap di kalender. Event ini disebut klasik modern dengan stage menantang dan penggemar fanatik.
Esapekka Lappi mengakui Hyundai salah memilihnya untuk Rally Chile dan menyebut Hayden Paddon lebih layak tampil setelah performa impresif di Paraguay.
Mikko Lukka, 52 tahun, dinobatkan sebagai juara co-driver Junior WRC 2025 setelah kemenangan di Chile bersama Leevi Lassila. Simak kisahnya.
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