Motorsports
Mitsubishi Gears Up for AXCR 2025 with Three Rally Beasts
Mitsubishi Ralliart to Field Three Tritons in AXCR 2025 Thailand Rally
Mitsubishi Motors Corporation has confirmed its return to the Asia Cross Country Rally (AXCR) with three heavily modified Triton pickup trucks, aiming to reclaim the championship title in the 30th edition of the event set for August 8 to 16, 2025, in Thailand.
Team Mitsubishi Ralliart, backed technically by Mitsubishi Motors and operated by Tant Sport (Thailand), is pushing for its first overall win since 2022. The team is led by Hiroshi Masuoka, with support from Mitsubishi engineers who are enhancing the Triton’s durability, torque, and off-road performance for the tougher rally route this year, which now stretches to approximately 2,500 km over eight days.
Drivers Chayapon Yotha and Katsuhiko Taguchi will lead the title charge, while Mitsubishi test driver Kazuto Koide returns with an auto transmission-equipped Triton to validate future tech and support teammates. All three entries have undergone high-load testing in June near Khao Yai National Park, fine-tuning components such as suspension, engine cooling, and body integrity for extreme terrain.
Masuoka noted the new Triton has proven capable in all terrains, saying, “We’ve improved everything from engine torque to the chassis setup. We’re ready to win.”
The driver line-up includes:
- Chayapon Yotha (Thailand) with co-driver Peerapong Sombutwong – 2022 AXCR champion.
- Katsuhiko Taguchi (Japan) with Takahiro Yasui – Fifth place in 2024.
- Kazuto Koide (Japan) with Eiji Chiba – Mitsubishi test driver, made his AXCR debut last year.
The rally-ready Tritons feature 2.4L turbo diesel engines producing over 160kW and 500Nm, reinforced suspension by CUSCO, sequential and automatic transmissions, and carbon fiber body parts. Tires are Yokohama’s GEOLANDAR M/T G003, suited for deep mud and rocky terrain.
Key technical partners include HKS, CUSCO, ENDLESS, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.
AXCR 2025 will run entirely within Thailand after organizers cancelled the Cambodia leg. The race starts and ends in Pattaya, crossing mountains, jungles, and rivers, testing both machine and man.
Sebastien Ogier kept his World Rally Championship dream alive in Chile on Sunday, clinching his 66th career victory and tightening his grip on a possible record-equalling ninth world title.
The 41-year-old Frenchman, driving for Toyota, crossed the finish line 11 seconds ahead of teammate Elfyn Evans. The Welshman had been leading after Friday’s stages, but Ogier mastered the rain-soaked gravel on Saturday to seize control.
It was Ogier’s fifth win of the season, enough to lift him two points clear of Evans at the top of the drivers’ standings with only three rallies left on the calendar. Should he hold on, he will match the legendary Sebastien Loeb’s tally of nine titles.
The result also marked Toyota’s 10th win of the season, extending its cushion over Hyundai in the manufacturers’ standings and bringing the Japanese marque closer to a fifth straight team championship. Frenchman Adrien Fourmaux gave Hyundai some consolation by finishing third.
Ogier had initially planned to drive part-time this season, skipping three rallies. But once the title fight opened up in his favor, he decided to contest the remaining events. His back-to-back wins now mean he will take on the role of road opener at the next round, the Central European Rally on October 16 — an advantage on the tarmac.
Reflecting on the win, Ogier admitted it wasn’t all smooth sailing: “We had to fight a bit more, we had a little issue in the mornings as I was not awake but we can be pleased with the way we ended up. I’m happy with that and I’m looking forward to switching to tarmac.”
Lewis Hamilton’s dream start with Ferrari has turned into the toughest season of his Formula One career, with the Italian Grand Prix arriving as a crucial test of patience for fans and team alike.
The seven-time world champion joined Ferrari this year, sparking hope among the tifosi that their 18-year wait for a driver’s crown would end. Instead, Hamilton sits a staggering 200 points behind championship leader Oscar Piastri after 15 races, without a single win or podium.
The Dutch Grand Prix capped off Ferrari’s misery. Hamilton spun in practice, then crashed out of the race alongside teammate Charles Leclerc. A five-place grid penalty for failing to slow under yellow flags only makes Monza harder.
Still, Hamilton insists he hasn’t lost his sense of pride in wearing red. At a fan event in Milan, he called it “special to remember I’m a Ferrari driver,” adding that the passion of supporters was “intense but very positive.”
Yet behind the optimism lies frustration. At Hungary, Hamilton even described himself as “completely useless,” fueling speculation about retirement. He admits the rollercoaster has been more volatile than expected, but hopes “the sun may be coming out on the brighter end of the tunnel.”
For now, Ferrari is a sideshow at their own home race. The season has been defined by McLaren’s domination, with Piastri and Lando Norris winning all but three races. Piastri leads Norris by 34 points, while Max Verstappen—second at Zandvoort—faces the reality of losing his grip on the title after four straight championships.
Monza may still roar for Ferrari, but unless Hamilton and Leclerc find form, the famous circuit will belong to McLaren’s rising stars.
═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
🏎️ FORMULA ONE: CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
Formula One world championship standings ahead of this weekend’s
Dutch Grand Prix — the 15th round of the 24-race season.
───────────────────────────────
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TABLE
───────────────────────────────
🏁 DRIVERS STANDINGS
────────────────────
- Oscar Piastri (AUS) ………. 284 pts
- Lando Norris (GBR) ……….. 275
- Max Verstappen (NED) ……… 187
- George Russell (GBR) ……… 172
- Charles Leclerc (MON) …….. 151
- Lewis Hamilton (GBR) ……… 109
- Kimi Antonelli (ITA) ……… 64
- Alex Albon (THA) …………. 54
- Nico Hulkenberg (GER) …….. 37
- Esteban Ocon (FRA) ……….. 27
- Fernando Alonso (ESP) …….. 26
- Lance Stroll (CAN) ……….. 26
- Isack Hadjar (FRA) ……….. 22
- Pierre Gasly (FRA) ……….. 20
- Liam Lawson (NZL) ………… 20
- Carlos Sainz (ESP) ……….. 16
- Gabriel Bortoleto (BRA) …… 14
- Yuki Tsunoda (JPN) ……….. 10
- Oliver Bearman (GBR) ……… 8
- Franco Colapinto (ARG) ……. 0
- Jack Doohan (AUS) ………… 0
───────────────────────────────
🏆 CONSTRUCTORS STANDINGS
───────────────────────────────
- McLaren …………………. 559 pts
- Ferrari …………………. 260
- Mercedes ………………… 236
- Red Bull ………………… 194
- Williams ………………… 70
- Aston Martin …………….. 52
- Sauber ………………….. 51
- Racing Bulls …………….. 45
- Haas ……………………. 35
- Alpine ………………….. 20
═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
