A secret rally test by a current F1 driver has sent shockwaves through the motorsport community.
- A current F1 star is conducting clandestine rally testing, according to analyst Peter Windsor.
- The driver is not reigning World Champion Max Verstappen.
- Rallying has attracted several F1 drivers in the past, including Kimi Raikkonen and Robert Kubica.
- The driver’s identity remains a mystery, fueling intense speculation.
The motorsport world is abuzz with rumors following claims by F1 analyst Peter Windsor that a current Formula 1 driver has been secretly testing rally cars. This unnamed driver, who is not Max Verstappen, has shown impressive skills in the rally tests conducted in utmost secrecy.
With only two confirmed vacancies for the F1 2025 season at Alpine and Audi/Sauber, the timing of this revelation is intriguing. Historically, several Formula 1 drivers have transitioned to rallying post their grand prix careers. The most notable being Kimi Raikkonen, who moved to the World Rally Championship in 2010, achieving a best finish of fifth in the Rally Turkey, before making an F1 comeback with Lotus-Renault.
Peter Windsor discussed this mystery driver’s rally tests during a recent YouTube stream, emphasizing the secrecy of the activities. He remarked, “I know of one Formula 1 driver that has done some rally testing recently – not Max Verstappen – in massive secrecy. I would never betray that secrecy by telling you who it is, but he was good and did well.” The lack of details about the driver’s identity has led to widespread speculation, with some considering former Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas, who has a known passion for rallying.
Valtteri Bottas, for example, participated in the Arctic Lapland Rally driving a Ford Fiesta WRC in January 2019, finishing fifth overall with a stage victory. However, his future in Formula 1 remains uncertain as his deal for the 2025 F1 season is yet to be confirmed amid speculations about Audi’s 2026 entry.
Windsor also reflected on Kimi Raikkonen’s rallying career, noting that the 2007 World Champion struggled with the rally discipline due to the necessity of working closely with a co-driver and relying on pace notes. Windsor pointed out that Vic Elford, Stirling Moss, and Jim Clark successfully made the transition in earlier decades. More contemporary drivers like Carlos Sainz Jr. appear to have inherited the rallying flair from their equally skilled parents.
On a related note, Windsor shared his experiences from a recent trip to Rally Finland, where he took a passenger ride with current championship leader Thierry Neuville. Windsor expressed admiration for Neuville’s skills and lamented the missed opportunity for rally legend Sebastien Loeb to transition to F1 in 2009 due to super licence issues.
The driver market speculation continues as the racing world eagerly awaits more details on the mysterious F1 driver’s rally exploits.
