The 2024 World Rally Championship season is halfway finished. Here’s who I believe has been the best in different ways this season.
Best Driver – Sebastien Ogier
Sebastien Ogier has looked like well Sebastien Ogier so far this season. As the Frenchman has won two events and came close to a third in Sardegna. Ogier would probably be leading the championship if it weren’t for him being a part-time. That still hasn’t discouraged the eight-time champion from putting on his best effort at every event he attends.
Most Improved – Adrien Fourmaux
Adrien Fourmaux hands down wins the most improved driver award for the first half of the season. Back-to-back podiums in Sweden and Kenya, plus a third podium in Poland. What more could M-Sport ask of Fourmaux at this point? Fourmaux spent the 2023 season behind the wheel of a Rally2 Fiesta. Where he contested events in WRC2 and the British Rally Championship. He took home the BRC win and had alright results in WRC2. Nobody really expected Fourmaux to do great this season. However, he sits in a battle for fourth in the championship heading into the season’s eighth event.
Most Disappointing Driver – Ott Tänak
Ott Tänak really hasn’t had a great first half of the season. As the Estonian only has two podiums under his belt. That goes along with his two super rallies. Granted Tänak is still very much in the battle for the WRC championship at this point, but it seems more like a pipe dream at this point. Tänak currently sits third in the championship just 6 points behind Elfyn Evans for second and 21 points behind Thierry Neuville. Overall it’s just been disappointing for Tänak so far this season.
Best Showing At A Single Event – Mikkelsen In Poland
Rally Poland was a whirlwind of an event. The one shining light from that event has to be Andreas Mikkelsen who was blisteringly fast. Not many drivers can go head-to-head in times with Kalle Rovanperä. Especially in their first event on gravel in a rally1 car. Sure both Mikkelsen and Rovanperä weren’t at 100%. As Rovanperä had to quickly do recce after being called to sub in for Sebastien Ogier just days before the event. Ultimately the two-time WRC champion in Rovanperä came out on top after Mikkelsen suffered a puncture that destroyed the rear half of his car.
Favourite Event – Rally Italia Sardegna
It’s normally a hard task to pick a favourite event, but not this season. Even if there are multiple contenders for me. Rally Italia Sardegna wins this category solely because of the absolute nail-biter of a finish. Ott Tänak won the event by just 0.2 seconds over Sebastien Ogier. A feat he achieved on the final stage of the event. All weekend it was a classic battle between Tänak and Ogier. Something we haven’t seen much of in recent years. This finish is also tied for the closest finish in WRC history. The other time it was this close? Well, Sebastien Ogier came out on top that time. Beating out his now boss Jari-Matti Latvala in 2011 at Rally Jordan.
Least Favourite Event – Rally Poland
Rally Poland was a good event in most ways. However, the fans absolutely ruined it. The event was completely overshadowed by stage stoppages and cancellations for me to have really enjoyed it. Don’t get me wrong the roads and everything else were good but it’s just disappointing to see an event ruined because of fans who can’t listen to others. Never in my years of following and covering the WRC did I just want an event to end. I dislike saying that, I really do and I feel bad for all the drivers and crews. As well as the fans who actually were doing what they were supposed to. Overall extremely disappointing.