The Lousada round will mark the start of an ambitious international campaign for the French team.
French outfit PGRX, led by team principal Patrick Guillerme, is entering a new phase of development with the official announcement that Juha Rytkönen and Mika Liimatainen will return to competition under its banner. The two Finnish drivers will compete respectively in the FIA World Rallycross Championship (World RX) and the FIA European Rallycross Championship (Euro RX1), beginning with the season-opening round set for May 30 to June 1, 2025, on the brand-new circuit in Lousada, Portugal.
Rytkönen returns with global ambitions
A breakout star of the World Rallycross Championship back in 2020—where he famously went wheel-to-wheel with Johan Kristoffersson at Kouvola—Juha Rytkönen has remained committed to pursuing international success ever since.
Runner-up in the 2024 French Rallycross Championship, with two victories and three podium finishes to his name, the Finnish driver will be back behind the wheel of the PGRX Hyundai i20 that served him so well last season. Alongside a thrilling showdown with Kristoffersson at Lohéac, Rytkönen made history in Istanbul by delivering a first-ever win in the FIA World Rallycross Championship for a privately run French team.
It was a landmark achievement—one that demanded a follow-up. And in just a few days, Rytkönen will launch his 2025 campaign at Lousada with a clear goal in mind: to fight for victory at the highest level.
Liimatainen eyes redemption in Euro RX1
Joining him is Mika Liimatainen, who will drive the second Hyundai i20 for the French squad. A strong podium contender in the 2024 Euro RX1 Championship with Betomik Racing, led by Mikko Ikonen, Liimatainen impressed last season with three final appearances and his first career podium on the iconic Höljes circuit.
He was already seen in PGRX colors late last season at the penultimate round of the French Championship in Essay, where he had a chance to get comfortable with his new surroundings.
His return to FIA Euro RX1 is naturally aimed at solidifying his reputation as a consistent front-runner. But there’s also unfinished business: Liimatainen was in the hunt for a top-three overall finish right up until the final round of 2024, only to end the season fifth in the standings. He heads to Lousada determined to set the record straight.
PGRX takes flight
After back-to-back French Supercar titles—first with Davy Jeanney in 2023, then with Steven Bossard in 2024—PGRX is poised to take a major step forward by committing to a sustained presence on the international stage. It’s a milestone moment for team principal Patrick Guillerme, who is fully focused on pushing his Finnish driver duo to the top of the global rallycross scene.
Juha Rytkönen – Hyundai i20 PGRX – FIA World RX
“I’m really happy to be taking part in the first race of the season at Lousada. We showed at the end of last year in Turkey that we’re capable of winning races at the FIA World Championship level, so naturally I’m excited to head to Portugal knowing we have the potential to compete at the front. I’m also lucky to be returning with a car and a team I already know very well. Hopefully we can fight for a spot on the podium. For now, I’d just like to thank all the partners who helped make this adventure a reality.”
Mika Liimatainen – Hyundai i20 PGRX – FIA Euro RX1
“I had a really strong 2024 season in my first Euro RX1 campaign, and I’m definitely excited to get back to racing on the new Lousada circuit. I’m joining a new team, and our initial contact last autumn—when I drove the Hyundai i20 at Essay—was very positive. And of course, I’ll be reunited with a familiar face in Juha Rytkönen. Everything seems to be in place to start our 2025 campaign in the best possible way in Portugal. I’m hopeful I can keep up the form I showed in recent months.”
Patrick Guillerme – Team Principal, PGRX
“The off-season was long and intense, but I’m thrilled to confirm that we’ll be starting the 2025 season in Portugal with Juha Rytkönen and Mika Liimatainen. We ended last year on a high in Turkey, so it made sense to continue our journey in World RX with Juha, while Mika will represent us in Euro RX1. Naturally, we would have loved to keep Steven Bossard onboard—he brought us the French Championship in 2024—but I’m confident we’ll see him back in one of our cars before long. I especially want to thank our loyal technical partners: SADEV, PIPO Moteurs, and BOS Suspension. With them on our side, we know we have the tools to compete at the highest level.”