As the 2025 World Rally Championship (WRC) gears up for its thrilling season opener at Rally Monte Carlo, M-Sport has stolen the spotlight with a striking new livery for its Puma Rally1 cars. The British outfit, backed by Ford, is the only manufacturer to refresh its look for the new season, while rivals Toyota and Hyundai have opted to carry over their 2024 designs with minimal tweaks.
A Dakar-inspired design
M-Sport’s updated livery borrows heavily from the color scheme of Ford’s Raptor T1+ Dakar entry. The white-and-blue theme has been retained but features a bold redesign with a sharper, more dynamic pattern. The refreshed look reflects M-Sport’s intent to make an impression both on and off the stages in 2025.
Josh McErlean, who is set to make his Rally1 debut at Monte Carlo, will also sport prominent Motorsport Ireland branding on his Puma Rally1, adding a touch of national pride to his campaign.
Toyota and Hyundai keep it simple
In contrast, Toyota and Hyundai have opted for continuity in their 2025 liveries. Toyota unveiled its updated GR Yaris Rally1 late last week, showcasing a near-identical design to 2024 with only subtle changes to sponsor logo placements.
Meanwhile, Hyundai leaned into humor with a social media post confirming that their livery would remain unchanged, captioned “Ctrl+C, Ctrl+V” in a nod to the keyboard shortcut for copying and pasting.
Why M-Sport’s bold move matters
M-Sport’s decision to introduce a new look underscores its commitment to revitalizing its presence in the WRC, where it has often been seen as the underdog against powerhouses Toyota and Hyundai. The fresh livery signals the team’s determination to compete aggressively in the new season, both visually and competitively.
The design also aligns with the team’s strategy to leverage Ford’s motorsport success across disciplines, tying in with its Dakar campaign and reinforcing its brand identity.
Looking ahead to Monte Carlo
The 2025 WRC season kicks off with Rally Monte Carlo next week, one of the most iconic and challenging events on the calendar. All eyes will be on how M-Sport’s new look translates into performance on the treacherous asphalt stages.
With Josh McErlean making his Rally1 debut and the team unveiling a bold new aesthetic, M-Sport enters the season with a clear statement of intent: they’re ready to shake things up.