F1 snore-fest shows new cars badly needed: Up/Down Japanese GP
The 2025 Japanese GP showed a much more extreme change than next year's technical regulations is needed to make racing at classic F1 tracks interesting
As Volkswagen pulls out of the World Rally Championship, look back on its history in the world’s top rally category
The original – The ‘Pierburg Golf’ Mk1 of Per Eklund, the first official works-backed rally entry.
The Mk2 – Matthias Feltz and Erwin Weber on the Acropolis in 1986.
The Golf G 60 was the last Golf VW took rallying.
Old meets new. The Golf GTi and the (bigger) Polo WRC.
A rigorous two years of testing was begun in 2011.
The works team returned in 2012, with a Fabia… Sébastian Ogier scored a fifth place in Sardinia, the best-ever result for an S2000 car.
Ogier wins the final round of 2013, Rally GB, his and VW’s first rally as champion
Second full season, second title for Ogier and VW. Seen here leaping on the way to victory in Australia.
The hat-trick year – eight wins, two seconds, and a rare 17th here in Argentina
Fourth and final, for now – Ogier and VW wrapped up their fourth title on the bounce.
The 2025 Japanese GP showed a much more extreme change than next year's technical regulations is needed to make racing at classic F1 tracks interesting
Max Verstappen looks set to be pitched into a hectic, high-stakes battle for F1 victories in 2025, between at least four teams. How will fans react if he resorts to his trademark strongman tactics?
Red Bull has a new team-mate for Max Verstappen in 2025 – punchy F1 firebrand Liam Lawson could finally be the raw racer it needs in the second seat
The 2024 F1 season was one of the wildest every seen, for on-track action and behind-the-scenes intrigue – James Elson predicts how 2025 could go even further