Not in the World Rally Championship or even the European Rally Championship? Doesn’t matter.
Ypres Rally never fails to attract the big names, and once again 2025’s entry list reads like an eclectic mix of global rallying stars and bright young talents.
Among a sea of brilliant Belgians (Cédric Cherain, Vincent Verschueren and the legendary Patrick Snijers to namecheck a few), these are the names to look out for at this weekend’s classic event (June 27-28).
Jari-Matti Latvala
The most successful driver at world level on the entry, Toyota team principal Jari-Matti Latvala continues his European Historic Rally Championship chase in Ypres.
Driving his Toyota Celica ST185 with co-driver Janni Hussi, Latvala is the number one seed in the Historic event, which features 10 stages rather than 18 for the regular rally.
With Latvala seeking a result after mechanical failure ruled him out of Rally d’Antibes, his Toyota team in the world championship is doing the same with Juha Kankkunen overseeing proceedings in Greece.
Dani Sordo
The second-most successful driver on the entry, Dani Sordo makes his first ever Ypres Rally start this week just like Latvala.
But the Spaniard will compete in something very different: a brand-new Porsche 992 Rally GT.
The Porsches have proven themselves to be competitive already in Belgium, so expect Sordo and co-driver Patricia Saiz Ruiloba to be firmly in the mix at the pointy end of the leaderboard.
Hayden Paddon
Donegal didn’t go to plan with a soft roll out of contention, so how will Ypres Rally go for Hayden Paddon?
Ypres is the second of three events, with three different co-drivers, in succession for the Kiwi. The Hyundai i20 N Rally2 beneath him is the only common denominator, although it’s a different team’s car each time.
Paddon has been to Ypres before back in 2013 and was competitive until he crashed his Ford Fiesta S2000. This year he’ll be back to settle that score with Jared Hudson calling the notes.
Romet Jürgenson
Expecting the reigning Junior WRC champion to be fighting for victory would be a touch premature, given he’s open about the fact he needs to learn still on Tarmac.
But nevertheless Romet Jürgenson is an intriguing addition to this year’s Ypres Rally, as he drives a Ford Fiesta Rally2 with Diederik Pattyn instead of regular co-driver Siim Oja.
That makes this Jürgenson’s first ever event without an Estonian co-driver, but maybe more interestingly he’ll get experience of Michelin rubber – adding to his knowledge of Hankook (WRC) and Pirelli (British Rally Championship) this year.
Stéphane Lefebvre
Last year’s Ypres Rally winner is back for another crack in 2025, but has switched a Hyundai for a Toyota GR Yaris Rally2.
Lefebvre may not have set the world alight on recent gravel outings in the European championship, but he’s very much at home on asphalt – as proved by a sensational Rallye Le Touqet victory earlier this year.
The former Citroën WRC driver knows what’s needed to succeed here, having also found out the punishment failure with a spectacular crash in 2023.
Freddy Loix
‘Fast Freddy’ may not be the force he once was, but when he rolls up to start Ypres for a sensational 26th time, how can we not talk about him?
The 54-year-old is still comfortably the most successful driver in this famous rally’s history. While a group of drivers have four wins, Loix has 11.
Back in a Škoda after trying a Toyota last year, Loix’s recent victory at Rally van Wervik proves there’s plenty of life in the old dog yet.
Bruno Thiry
Another former WRC professional from Belgium, Bruno Thiry will take part in the Historic event (alongside Latvala) this year in a Subaru Impreza 555.
Using the same car, recently rebuilt by BGMsport, that he drove at the Ardennes Rally Festival, this year’s Ypres will be a big deal for Thiry given he drove this very Subaru to second at the event back in 1997.
Care to hazard a guess who pipped him to victory by seven seconds…?
Jos Verstappen
Last but by no means least, particularly considering Jos Verstappen’s current form in Belgium.
The former Formula 1 driver may not be grabbing the headlines in the ERC (as he continues to learn), but he’s dominating domestically with three wins from three so far in 2025.
Guided by Renaud Jamoul, Verstappen isn’t yet to enjoy a properly clean run in Ypres. Lining up for his fourth attempt, count him out at your peril.
