Rally driver Mille Johansson from Katrineholm and co-driver Johan Grönvall have a packed year ahead. After a strong start in the Junior WRC, where they lead the championship following Rally Sweden in Umeå, an intense competition schedule awaits. In addition to six of the eight rounds in the European Rally Championship, the duo will also compete in the Italian Gravel Championship with the MS Munaretto team. The season kicks off this weekend with the opening round, Rally Città di Foligno.
The initial plan was for Mille and Johan to drive a Škoda Fabia Rally2 Evo in both the ERC and the Italian Championship. However, thanks to increased support from the team’s sponsors, they will now compete in the latest model, the Škoda Fabia RS Rally2. They will use this car for all rounds in Italy as well as the gravel events in the ERC.
– “I’m really excited to start our second campaign of 2025 together with MS Munaretto. Since we last met the team, some changes have been made, and one of the biggest surprises is that we will be driving a Škoda Fabia RS instead of the Evo model on all gravel events this year,” says Mille.
Another major update is that Mille and Johan will run the entire season on Hankook tires, a decision based on the brand’s strong commitment to development. Hankook is gaining significant market share globally and is in a very positive phase. The duo is also no stranger to these tires, having already used them in both the 2024 Junior ERC and the Junior WRC, where Hankook is the official supplier.
The Italian Gravel Championship begins on Sunday with Rally Città di Foligno, held in central Italy. It will be Mille and Johan’s first gravel event of the season after only competing on snow and ice leading up to and during Rally Sweden. They will also be making the step up from the Rally3 car they drive in the WRC to the faster Rally2 car from MS Munaretto.
– “It’s definitely going to be an adjustment going from Rally Sweden to what we have ahead this weekend. I have to learn a completely new car while also getting my first experience with Hankook’s new tires. The difference between Rally3 and Rally2 is quite big, so it’s a major step up. But we’re here to learn and don’t have high expectations,” Mille continues.
– “I’m really looking forward to returning to Italy for our first gravel event of the year. The last time we competed here, back in November, it was a great learning experience to get a feel for the surface. This time, things will be different with a new car, but it’s supposed to be even better, so I’m excited to see how the Škoda RS Rally2 performs,” says Johan.
The event, the first of six rounds in this year’s championship, consists of nine stages covering nearly 80 kilometers on Sunday. In the Rally2 category—the highest class in the event—25 cars are set to compete. The lineup includes multiple-time Italian champion Paolo Andreucci, WRC and ERC regular Alberto Battistolli, and former JWRC driver Fabio Andolfi.
– “The goal for this rally is to get a good feeling for both the Rally2 car and the new setup while steadily building confidence and pace stage by stage. Of course, we would love to score a podium at some point during the season, but it’s not something we’re pushing for or expecting. It’s going to be a hectic year, and the results will come when the time is right,” Mille concludes.