• Season finale: Opel Corsa Rally Electric to compete in World Rally Championship setting from 17 to 19 October
• Three-way battle: Alex Español, Tom Heindrichs and Kilian Nierenz compete for the Cup title at the Central European Rally
• Guest driver: Fabian Vettel contests his first rally in the Opel Corsa Rally Electric

Everything is set for an exciting season finale of the ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup ‘powered by GSE’. The seventh and final race of the season will take place in front of a large crowd: For the third time, the Opel Corsa Rally Electric will compete in the Central European Rally (CER), a round of the FIA World Rally Championship. The organisers are once again expecting more than 100,000 spectators at the special stages in Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic, when the world’s elite around Sébastien Ogier, Elfyn Evans, Kalle Rovanperä, Ott Tänak and Thierry Neuville will fight for the rallying crown.

While defending world champion Neuville only has mathematical chances to defend his title, one family member is fully in the mix for a championship: Neuville’s brother Tom Heindrichs is only twelve points behind Alex Español in the intermediate standings of the ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup. Third-placed Kilian Nierenz is also theoretically lurking within striking distance with a 29-point deficit. However, the Bavarian, who has already registered four podium finishes in his rookie season together with co-driver Milena Raithel, has to hope for mishaps among his competitors with a maximum of 35 points still up for grabs. "We wish the other drivers all the best and want to enjoy the finale in front of the World Championship crowd, drive cleanly through and hopefully be on the podium again," said Nierenz, who in turn has a 22 point lead over the winner of the ADAC Rallye Stemweder Berg, Dutchman Fabian Kamermans.

Español and Heindrichs also assure that they will not be disturbed in their approach in the title fight. "We’re approaching the rally like any other – fully focused on our job. That’s the only way to win the ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup," says the Spaniard, who as always will follow Borja Odriozola’s announcements. Three-time season winner Heindrichs and his co-driver Jonas Schmitz have one goal in mind: "To repeat last year’s victory at the CER – everything else is out of our hands."

Grand entrance of the fast electric cars in Hauzenberg

Like last year, the ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup will set up its service area in Hauzenberg. The Corsa Rally Electric will once again become a top attraction in the small town northeast of Passau. On market day, the speedy electric cars will roll across the Hauzenberg market square at noon and introduce visitors to the world’s first electric rally one-make cup. In 2024, the teams were inundated with photo and autograph requests – including interviews in front of the town hall.

In addition, the people of Hauzenberg can take a look at the electric rally future, as the new 207 kW (281 hp) Opel Mokka GSE Rally will also be part of the ‘market square demonstration’. The first rally car currently being developed according to the new FIA eRally5 regulations will be used as an advance vehicle at the Central European Rally.

Fabian Vettel: ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup round as a new experience

Elsewhere, the ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup welcomes a prominent guest driver to the 2025 season finale: Fabian Vettel (26), brother of four-time Formula 1 World Champion Sebastian Vettel and so far only competing in circuit racing series up to the ADAC GT Masters, will make his rally debut as part of the Central European Rally. “I’m really looking forward to the new experience, especially since everything I associate with my passion for motorsport took place on the circuit. I think the biggest challenge will be to drive according to the co-pilot’s instructions. As a circuit driver, you certainly have to restructure your head a bit in order to trust the announcements and not drive on sight," said Vettel, who will share the Corsa Rally Electric with experienced co-driver Gino Kruhs.

The programme for the participants of the ADAC Opel Rallye Cup includes a total of ten special stages over around 128 kilometres. On Friday and Saturday, four stages each will be driven before two crossings of the ‘Granite & Forest’ special stage conclude the rally on Sunday. Rally fans who cannot follow the action live can stay up-to-date via live timing on www.opel-motorsport.com.

Standings ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup ‘powered by GSE’ after 6 rounds:

1. Español                    – 172 points
2. Heindrichs                – 160 points
3. Nierenz                    – 143 points
4. Kamermans              – 121 points
5. Lemke                      – 109 points
6. Neulinger                  – 88 points
7. Wittenbeck                – 71 points
8. Rott                          – 62 points
9. Jungnickel                 – 57 points
10. Eertmans                 – 52 points
11. Steitz                       – 42 points