2025 is F1’s most polite title battle ever – Up/Down in Austria
Describing this year's championship race as a 'battle' might be slightly over-egging it, writes James Elson
Kris Meeke made World Rally Championship history in Finland on July 31, setting a new record for the fastest-ever event. His average speed of 126.6kph on the 334km route beat Jari-Matti Latvala’s record set at the same rally 12 months ago by 1.2kph. On a quick weekend, home favourite Latvala in second place also bettered his 2015 speed.
Meeke’s victory is also the first for a Briton on Rally Finland.
Craig Breen, Meeke’s Citroen team-mate, secured his maiden WRC podium in third place.
“This is the home of rallying,” Meeke said following his third WRC victory. “Ouninpohja is the holy grail of stages, to win it way we did… I’ve been dreaming of this since I was a kid and I felt like that again, just playing.”
Describing this year's championship race as a 'battle' might be slightly over-egging it, writes James Elson
Lando Norris's wrecked McLaren was some metaphor for his racing aptitude over the last 12 months
When will the FIA take serious action against dangerous F1 driving? asks James Elson
For all the huff-and-puff about strategy at the 2025 Monaco GP, the race showed pitstops aren't F1's main problem there