Starting with the Rookie of the Year, the panel has also been asked to pick out their Unsung Hero of the Year, Newcomer of the Year, Driver of the Year and Wild Prediction for 2025.
For each category the panel was aksed to choose from a shortlist of nominees. For the Rookie of the Year six rising talents were nominated, Calle Carlberg, Tristan Charpentier, Michał Chorbinski, Kerem Kazaz, Filip Kohn and Martin Ravenščak.
After lengthy deliberation, Sweden’s Calle Carlberg, runner-up in both FIA ERC4 and FIA Junior ERC driving a Hankook-equipped Opel Corsa Rally4 for the ADAC Opel Rally Junior Team.
Rally.tv stage-end reporter Peter MacKay was one of several ERC media experts to vote for Carlberg. The Scot said: “Following his 2023 Opel e-Rally Cup title, this young Swede grasped his prize drive in the Junior ERC with infectious energy and determination. For any young star, the ascent up the ranks is laden with pressure and expectation. Carlberg burst out of the gates in ERC with four podiums and an emotional victory on Rally Silesia. Considering his Scandinavian upbringing on loose surfaces, Carlberg’s pace on Tarmac makes him a promising prospect for the future.”
Carlberg also received support from Rallyeslalom.com’s Niccolò Budoia. The Italian journalist (below) said: “This year’s ERC was great, with a lot of talented and fast new drivers. But Calle Carlberg really impressed me. You don’t expect a Swedish guy to be so fast on Tarmac, and I remember how surprised I was by his times in Canarias. He won in Silesia and was second in Junior ERC. What a season.”
Becs Williams, Rally.tv’s lead ERC commentator, picked FIA ERC3 champion and ERC Fiesta Rally3 Trophy winner Filip Kohn. She explained: “Filip had a brilliant campaigns this season, clinical in his approach. Understated and calm in person, scarily fast on the stages. A star of the future.”
What’s next? Visit FIAERC.com on 17 December for the Unsung Hero of the Year
Sweden
Spain
Turkey