The Junior WRC title fight reaches its climax at Rally Chile, and this time the stakes are much higher than just a championship trophy. The winner will earn a fully funded four-round WRC2 campaign for the 2027 season with an M-Sport Ford Fiesta Rally2, including a testing programme – one of the biggest prizes in junior rallying.
The series' unusual points system adds another layer of intrigue. Only each driver's four best results count towards their final tally, while finishing-position points will be doubled for eligible crews at the season finale in Chile. A victory will be worth 50 points instead of the usual 25, and with one bonus point still on offer for every stage win, the maximum haul in Chile is 66 points.
Championship leader Calle Carlberg currently has 95 points, but Ali Turkkan is just three points behind. Rally Finland class winner Gil Membrado sits third on 71 points, with Leevi Lassila fourth on 61 and Kerem Kazaz fifth on 32. All five still have a mathematical shot at the title.
Carlberg, who began his season with victory in Sweden, admits the high stakes have brought some nerves. "I feel good. I'm a little nervous because there is a lot at stake, but I'm ready for the challenge," said the Swede. "Every Junior WRC event has been completely new to me this year, so Chile is no different. It feels quite good to know the others are on the same footing as me because they do not have any experience of this rally either. I think that should work slightly in my favour."
Turkkan has been Carlberg's closest challenger for much of the season, taking wins in Croatia and Portugal. The Turkish driver has prepared for his first event in Chile in an unusual way. "I've been trying to adjust to the time difference. For the past seven days, I've been living on Chilean time in Istanbul," Turkkan said. "It's a little difficult but fun at the same time. I've been playing video games with my friends until six in the morning to stay awake, just as we did when we were children."
Meanwhile, Finnish prospect Leevi Lassila has finished on the podium three times this season. His title hopes took a major blow on home soil when he lost the lead on the final stage and dropped to second. "Rally Chile will be a completely new experience, as it will be the first time I have competed in a rally outside Europe," said Lassila. "I'm really looking forward to it. I hope to have a clean, strong rally and move into the top three in the championship."
With everything on the line, Rally Chile promises high drama. Who will seize the golden ticket to WRC2?
Baca Juga
Thierry Neuville menargetkan kemenangan di Rally Chile 2025 meski mengaku trek itu bukan favoritnya. Hyundai diyakini semakin kompetitif setelah perkembangan set-up.
FIA menambah jatah ban Rally1 menjadi 36 untuk Reli Chile setelah kekacauan ban di Paraguay. Prosedur tukar ban di Arauco juga dilonggarkan demi hindari insiden delaminasi.
Oliver Solberg yakin peluang gelar WRC 2025 belum tertutup meski tertinggal 41 poin dari Evans. Tiga seri gravel tersisa jadi kunci.
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