The FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) enters uncharted territory this week (28 – 31 August) as Paraguay becomes the 38th country to host a world championship rally, with the much-anticipated ueno Rally del Paraguayset to unfold around the city of Encarnación.

A Level Playing Field for All

Unlike traditional European rounds, Paraguay offers completely new roads where local knowledge counts for nothing. For the crews, adaptability will be the ultimate weapon as they tackle 19 demanding special stages covering 333.18 kilometres before Sunday’s grand finish.

Evans vs. Rovanperä: Title Battle Heats Up

At the heart of the action is a thrilling championship duel between Toyota Gazoo Racing teammates Elfyn Evans and Kalle Rovanperä. Just three points separate the pair after nine high-intensity rounds.

Evans reclaimed the top spot in the drivers’ standings after finishing second at Secto Rally Finland, while Rovanperä stormed to victory on home soil by winning 15 of 18 stages at record-breaking speeds.

“After Rally Finland we’re back in the lead of the drivers’ championship, but the pack is incredibly close, so we can expect a big fight until the end of the season,” said Evans. “It’s always a big challenge to prepare for a new rally, and especially when it’s outside of Europe and we’re not able to test there beforehand.”

Rovanperä, meanwhile, arrives in Paraguay brimming with confidence: “The result in Finland was amazing for us and for the team, and the points we got were really valuable for the championship. Paraguay will be a new rally for everyone and we don’t really know what to expect, but hopefully it can suit us well.”

Toyota Gazoo Racing Dominance

Toyota has been the benchmark in 2025, winning eight of the nine rallies so far. Their powerful five-driver line-up features Evans, Rovanperä, eight-time world champion Sébastien Ogier, Takamoto Katsuta, and rising star Sami Pajari. Ogier remains firmly in the fight for the title, just 13 points behind Evans.

Hyundai and M-Sport Set for the Fight

Hyundai Motorsport brings a formidable trio in defending champion Thierry Neuville, 2019 title winner Ott Tänak(also 13 points off the lead), and Adrien Fourmaux in the i20 N Rally1s. M-Sport Ford will rely on Grégoire Munsterand Josh McErlean in their Puma Rally1 machines to take the fight to the factory giants.

A Historic Rally Ahead

As the WRC caravan rolls into Paraguay for the first time, the championship battle is finely poised with just a handful of rounds left. The ueno Rally del Paraguay promises to deliver high drama, spectacular stages, and potentially a decisive swing in the fight for the 2025 crown.

With Evans, Rovanperä, Ogier, Neuville, and Tänak all within striking distance, rally fans worldwide can expect an unforgettable weekend in South America.