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FIA Rally Stars’ 2025 selection sees no new Kenyan entrants, leaving young talents awaiting their chance.
Future of motorsports in Kenya continues to unfold as the FIA Rally Star program welcomes new entrants for the 2025 season while the path for Kenyan drivers in the program remains uncertain.
Junior WRC champion Romet Jürgenson, runner-up Taylor Gill, and podium-finisher Max Smart will continue their journeys in the FIA’s prestigious global rally talent initiative, aiming for success on the world stage.
However, with no new Kenyan entrants announced for 2025, local rallying enthusiasts are left to wonder when the next Kenyan talent will break into the international spotlight.
Having concluded the intense 2024 Junior WRC season, where each driver underwent rigorous training and competition, Jürgenson, Gill, and Smart have proven their mettle.
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07:40 - 27.10.2024
Safari Rally snubbed again as Junior WRC 2025 calendar unveils fresh European challenge
The 2025 FIA Junior WRC calendar promises intense competition across diverse terrains but leaves out Africa's iconic Safari Rally, focusing instead on new European challenges that push young talents to their limits.
The Estonian Jürgenson, who claimed the Junior WRC title, has secured a coveted WRC2 prize drive with a Ford Fiesta Rally2, adding six events to his schedule in 2025—two more than the four typically awarded to the Junior WRC titleholder.
FIA Rally Star project leader Jérôme Roussel emphasized that this expanded opportunity underscores the FIA’s commitment to nurturing exceptional talent.
“Romet and Taylor have not only demonstrated their talent but also their determination, and it’s only right they have been rewarded with further opportunities to learn and progress in 2025,” Roussel stated.
With the FIA Rally Star program now a proven pathway for young hopefuls with limited experience, Roussel sees this as a beacon for others worldwide to begin their motorsport journey, from grassroots level to the international stage.
Meanwhile, Kenya, once celebrated in the FIA Rally Star program with notable participants such as Jeremiah Wahome, McRae Kimathi and Hamza Anwar, waits in anticipation to see if any fresh Kenyan drivers will be granted the same life-changing opportunity.
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18:45 - 18.10.2024
'He lost a lot of blood' – Rally driver Maxine Wahome's trial takes a new twist as doctor details critical injury
A doctor’s testimony has revealed new insights in the ongoing case of rally driver Maxine Wahome accused of Asad Khan’s death.
Wahome made headlines as the first Black Kenyan in 25 years to win a national rally, and both Wahome and Kimathi brought pride to Kenya in the 2022 Junior WRC season while driving Ford Fiesta R3 machines.
The FIA Rally Star program has become a springboard for drivers worldwide aged 17-28, allowing them to compete in premier events and develop through high-level training.
This structured path led Wahome, Kimathi, and Anwar to participate in events across Europe, with Anwar recently debuting in Rally Sweden, driving under the expertise of a Polish-tuned professional crew.
Kenyan fans and rally experts alike believe these achievements will inspire a new generation to pursue rallying despite the current gap in program selection.
Reflecting on the future, Roussel acknowledged former participant Jose ‘Abito’ Caparó, who departed from the program after demonstrating “potential, talent, and passion” in rallying.
“I’d also like to thank Abito and Esther [Gutiérrez, co-driver] for their contributions to FIA Rally Star, and I look forward to seeing how the learnings and experience from this program help them in their future motorsport journeys,” he added.
With the 2025 Junior WRC season beginning in Sweden from February 13-16, Jürgenson, Gill, and Smart are poised to build on their successes.
Kenyan fans, however, will be watching closely to see if their country’s next representative will rise through the ranks.
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