Larsen beat compatriots Eyvind Brynildsen and Henning Solberg in a thrilling climax to the Sigdalsrally, round one of the Norwegian championship, which he was contesting in a Volkswagen Polo GTI R5 equipped with MRF tyres.
While a fourth consecutive Norwegian title remains Larsen’s priority in 2025, he intends to be on the starting line when the Swedish city of Karlstad hosts the third event of the upcoming ERC season from 29 - 31 May.
“That’s the plan and the big motivation for me is to go back and try to claim the podium position,” said the 34-year-old. “That’s what we were fighting for before the crash in 2023, and after we finished fourth in 2024, the big natural step now is to be on the podium. It’s one of the most beautiful events I have ever done, it’s close to Norway, there are a lot of spectators, a lot of family and friends are there to cheer us on.”
Larsen is counting the days to BAUHAUS Royal Rally of Scandinavia because of the strong competition he expects to face from the ERC regulars on the high-speed gravel event.
“When I see the entry list, for me the bigger and better drivers on that list the more motivated I get,” said Larsen, who is co-driven by Lars-Håkon Lundgreen. “That’s when you really get to see where you are compared to some of the most talented and best drivers in the world.”
Larsen has secured a new partnership with MRF Tyres for the 2025 season, an alliance he has described as being hugely significant for his career.
“We started talking to them in both of the years we did Royal Rally and we got a really good connection,” Larsen explained. “It’s thanks to them we are able to go back this year and hopefully we’ll be fighting for points in the FIA European Rally Championship for Tyre Suppliers for them. Hopefully we can give back some good points for the trust that they put in us with this partnership.”
Of his Sigdalsrally victory, Larsen said: “I’ve always been a privateer but it feels now when you have the support from a big company like MRF then you feel like you want to get off to a good start, maybe you are extra nervous before the first event so it feels very good to get the victory in the opening round of the championship.
“In the Norwegian championship the competition is really high with the new cars, the Toyota, the Škoda and drivers like Eyvind and Henning who are so fast and experienced.”
Larsen will be back in action when he contests round two of the Norwegian championship, Rally Finnskog, on 25 January.
Photos: Alexander Jansen/DRM24
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