• Romet Jürgenson and co-driver Siim Oja safe championship glory in Greece
• Taylor Gill and Daniel Brkic fourth in remaining standings after day-two heartbreak
• Jose ‘Abito’ Caparó scores season-best fourth following massively demanding occasion
• Max Sensible secures prime 10 end after a number of delays on powerful gravel phases
FIA Rally Star Romet Jürgenson is the winner of the FIA Junior WRC Championship for 2024 after he rounded out an outstanding debut season at world stage by clinching the coveted younger driver title and the accompanying WRC2 prize drive for 2025.
With Siim Oja co-driving, Jürgenson accomplished EKO Acropolis Rally in second place within the Rally3-based Junior WRC class to develop into Junior WRC champion by 28 factors. Oja is the champion co-driver for 2024 having additionally excelled all year long.
Jürgenson joined the FIA Rally Star expertise detection programme when he gained the FIA Rally Star European Last in January 2022, having certified for the shootout in Germany by way of the WRC9 digital challenges on the again of his performances in eSports.
His Continental Last victory earned him a spot within the FIA Rally Star Coaching Season for 2023. After finishing the yr as one of many 4 best-performing drivers, Jürgenson entered Junior WRC for 2024 with the total help of the FIA and its companions, plus the FIA Rally Star group of specialists.
Second at school on Rally Sweden in February, Jürgenson took the Junior WRC laurels on Croatia Rally to assert a lead who wouldn’t relinquish within the championship chase. Regardless of 11 drivers beginning the EKO Acropolis Rally finale in competition for the crown, Jürgenson prevailed. And he may have accomplished the season with a second victory however for tyre injury on SS11 dropping him to second place.
Australia’s Taylor Gill, the Junior WRC winner on Secto Rally Finland final month, dropped out of competition for the title after he and co-driver Daniel Brkic have been compelled to spend some 18 minutes making working repairs to their Fiesta Rally3 after a suspension arm had been broken by hitting a rock. They battled again to complete eighth.
Co-driven by Esther Gutiérrez, Jose ‘Abito’ Caparó scored a season-best fourth after the Peruvian’s conservative strategy paid dividends on the rock-strewn phases.
South African Max Sensible, with Cameron Honest co-driving, was much less lucky, nonetheless, after 5 on-stage wheel adjustments throughout the course of the occasion left him seventh on the end of solely his ninth ever rally.
FIA Deputy President for Sport Robert Reid, FIA Vice President for Sport Europe Anna Nordkvist, WRC Fee Chair Pernilla Solberg and FIA Street Sport Director Andrew Wheatley have been in attendance throughout EKO Acropolis Rally to supply their help to the FIA Rally Star drivers, as they’ve executed all through the method.
The FIA Rally Star group entered Junior WRC with the purpose of one among its drivers securing the title in yr two of its participation. By profitable one yr forward of schedule, Romet Jürgenson has not solely underlined his means and potential for the longer term, but in addition highlighted the success of FIA Rally Star’s mission to unearth proficient children through grassroots choice occasions organised by ASNs globally and provides them the steering and help to realize life-changing outcomes.
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem stated: “I want to lengthen my heartfelt congratulations to Romet Jürgenson and his co-driver Siim Oja for his or her excellent victory in claiming the FIA Junior WRC title on the EKO Acropolis Rally. This triumph is a testomony not solely to their talent and dedication but in addition to the power and success of the FIA Rally Star programme, which goals to find and nurture younger expertise in motor sport.
“The FIA is deeply dedicated to creating pathways for rising drivers and this consequence highlights the significance of supporting these initiatives. Romet’s journey from the FIA Rally Star programme to changing into a Junior WRC champion serves as an inspiring instance of how dedication, alternative, and the best help can result in nice success. We stay up for seeing much more promising drivers rise by way of the ranks, and I’m assured that this achievement will encourage the subsequent technology of rally expertise.”
FIA Deputy President for Sport Robert Reid stated: “Having shaped a part of jury that picked Romet because the winner of FIA Rally Star European Last, it was with a way of delight that I watched him and Siim develop into FIA Junior WRC champions for 2024. It was particularly important as a result of Romet made his method initially by way of the eSports picks with no driving expertise in a rally automobile. I used to be additionally privileged to have adopted his progress and growth over the previous 18 months along with his stage of dedication and dedication actually spectacular. The Junior WRC programme as a complete is instrumental in making a expertise pathway from grassroots to the best stage of the self-discipline. Everybody concerned ought to be very pleased with all that has been achieved to this point. For now, I want Romet and Siim the most effective of luck as they embark on their subsequent problem in FIA WRC2 in 2025.”
FIA Rally Star Venture Chief Jérôme Roussel stated: “We got here to the Acropolis Rally with the purpose of getting the Junior WRC title with one among our drivers and we did it, which is a improbable consequence for your complete FIA Rally Star group. We knew it could be a tough rally and it was – really some of the demanding Acropolis in a few years. However what has been achieved is proof that there are prospects in case you are in your bed room dreaming of changing into a rally driver. It’s important to work arduous, have the expertise and catch the alternatives and that’s what we’ve proved is feasible with FIA Rally Star.
“Delivering the Junior WRC title one yr forward of schedule is a large achievement and we are able to all be very pleased with this: the juries who chosen the drivers, the co-drivers, the group round them, all of the individuals round supporting us, M-Sport Poland, Pirelli… The reliability score this season was actually glorious.
“Romet had a really good strategy in Greece. He knew what he needed to do. Siim and he managed to discover a tempo which was quick sufficient with out being too demanding for the automobile and the tyres. They completed P2 however may have gained with out the puncture. Even when that occurred, they didn’t get excited, they stopped to vary and carried on. Congratulations to Norbert Maior for the occasion victory as properly as a result of he was proving rather a lot – profitable the Junior ERC title final yr and now profitable the final spherical of Junior WRC, demonstrating the pathway actually does exist.
“Taylor additionally had the best strategy, however he was a bit much less profitable. The turning level was when the suspension arm was cracked after an enormous shock with a rock. However he and Dan didn’t quit and actually confirmed what a fantastic crew they’re with their mechanical expertise. I’ve little doubt they’ll obtain nice issues sooner or later.
“Max should analyse why he had so many punctures. However when the automobile was working on 4 wheels he was actually promising with some excellent occasions. He’s progressed by way of the season and Greece was a part of this development. He was the one with the smallest expertise on 4 wheels however he reached a stage that’s very promising for the longer term.
“Abito should be congratulated additionally as a result of he managed to complete P4, his greatest results of the season and the rostrum was not distant. His goal was to keep away from any puncture and any mistake and I believe he was the one one to not have a single puncture and the automobile was in an ideal situation on the finish of the rally. He was actually hungry to realize this efficiency and saved a critical strategy.
“We’ve got taken a number of satisfaction from this season. An FIA Rally Star driver was on the rostrum at each rally, we gained the title in our first season, which was unbelievable given the extent of competitors we confronted – a document 19 entries initially of the season. This gave us a number of delight and we now have much more motivation to achieve new milestones subsequent yr. Romet and Siim shall be in WRC2 with the Ford Fiesta Rally2 and we are going to announce quickly the names of the 2 drivers who will proceed their journey in Junior WRC with FIA Rally Star.”
FIA EKO Acropolis Rally driver-by-driver round-up (listed in seeded order)
#58 Romet Jürgenson (24, Estonia)/Co-driver: Siim Oja (EST)
In a powerful and punctiliously deliberate show of danger versus reward, Jürgenson was main when he was compelled to vary a broken tyre on SS11. The delay dropped him to second however the consequence was greater than sufficient to be topped the 2024 FIA Junior WRC champion.
Romet Jürgenson: “It was a troublesome problem, with each impediment thrown in our method in some unspecified time in the future, punctures, bedrocks within the strains, warmth, mud, every thing however we conquered it and we acquired to the end line with the championship crown so it’s nice. I’m most pleased with the actual fact so many legends have gained this class, Sébastien Ogier, Craig Breen, Sébastien Loeb, so many others. To be in between them is so good and I’m only a bit misplaced for phrases. As an Estonian I wish to preserve my toes on the bottom so I’ll deal with WRC2 as a studying yr. Sooner or later, I should present my pace, however to do something massive subsequent yr shall be tough. All 4 FIA Rally Star drivers have been actually good this season. Taylor and I’ve a bit extra expertise however Jose and Max have confirmed they deserved to be right here, they simply had some unlucky occasions. The work we did earlier than every occasion with the FIA Rally Star group and the lengths we go to actually made the distinction but in addition my private sponsors who allowed me to do different races between my Junior WRC begins, that basically helped me. Ott Tänak is one among my idols, I used to be spectating in Spain when he grew to become world champion in 2019. I used to be the fan with the flag waving and now he’s right here congratulating me. It’s mad however I wouldn’t be right here with out the FIA Rally Star programme so thanks to everybody.”
#59 Taylor Gill (20, Australia)/Co-driver: Daniel Brkic (AUS)
Whereas a wheel change on Friday afternoon proved irritating, it was nothing in comparison with the delay Gill suffered on SS11 as he and co-driver Daniel Brkic rushed to interchange a broken rear suspension arm. It took 18 minutes earlier than they have been in a position to proceed, dropping out of title competition because of this. However they didn’t quit and reached the end in eighth place.
Taylor Gill: “It’s fairly blended emotions to be trustworthy. It began comparatively okay, maintaining out of bother. Sadly, a puncture on Friday afternoon put a dampener on the day but it surely actually unfolded on Saturday once we picked up some suspension injury. However that’s a part of the sport on this rally and though it’s not so good it didn’t go our method, I’m super-happy for Romet and Siim as a result of they deserved it as properly. On the whole, it’s not been a foul yr. We have been the one crew to complete all of the phases and achieve the utmost quantity of expertise, which in the end is what we wanted this yr. I felt the pace was fairly okay with some room for enchancment. However what we’ve achieved this yr simply exhibits that the FIA Rally Star programme works. It might imply rather a lot to pile on every thing we discovered this yr and go once more in Junior WRC subsequent yr.”
#66 Max Sensible (21, South Africa)/Co-driver: Cameron Honest (GBR)
Stopping to vary 5 broken tyres and selecting up one other deflation dominated out any likelihood of a second podium of 2024. However seventh place ensured extra important expertise was gained for the FIA Rally Star African Last winner.
Max Sensible: “It was powerful rally, we needed to change 5 punctures on stage and one we needed to drive by way of in order that was the primary situation we had this weekend and that’s undoubtedly one thing we now have to repair on the driving. To choose up six punctures is certainly not unhealthy luck and one thing we are able to do higher on. The tempo within the automobile was good and for my ninth ever rally issues have been beginning to really feel extra acquainted and that was nice and I loved driving for certain. I can’t imagine I used to be spectating right here in 2022 after profitable the African Last and setting the third quickest time on the Energy Stage two years later. We’ve had a podium this yr, we’ve rallied on ice, Tarmac, all these powerful and difficult gravel occasions. I’ve been studying each step of the way in which and all the time getting higher. So it’s simply an enormous thanks to the FIA Rally Star challenge for believing in my uncooked expertise and bringing me up. I’m pleased with the progress made and I do know there’s extra to come back. It might imply every thing to me if I may keep on subsequent yr. I wish to win, I do know I can do it. It’s going to take a number of arduous work however that’s my dream.”
#68 Jose ‘Abito’ Caparó (27, Peru) Co-driver: Esther Gutiérrez (ESP)
Caparo saved his greatest to final with a career-best fourth place after he and co-driver Esther Gutiérrez opted for an ultra-conservative strategy, which saved them away from the pitfalls that delayed lots of their rivals.
Jose ‘Abito’ Caparó: “The sensation is the prize we have been looking for from the primary rally. We managed to remain out of the way in which of any errors on the primary two days, getting no punctures and that paid again. We weren’t preventing for positions, however we have been ready for the second and that is the most effective consequence and I’m so completely happy. From the start we have been discussing with Esther to keep away from each drawback, each mistake and taking good care of the automobile was the purpose. For certain this yr was very tough for me. However I used to be aiming to be sooner even with no expertise. I do know what I’m not going to do once more if I get the possibility but it surely’s less than me.”
What’s subsequent?
With Romet Jürgenson graduating to FIA WRC2 in a Ford Fiesta Rally2 run by M-Sport subsequent season, two of the remaining three FIA Rally Star drivers shall be chosen to proceed within the FIA Junior WRC Championship in 2025 with the line-up as a result of be confirmed within the coming weeks.
