At this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, some of the biggest names in the World Rally Championship (WRC) got an exclusive first look at the highly anticipated EA SPORTS™ WRC 24 Season Expansion. Featuring the latest season’s cars and two new rally locations—ORLEN 80th Rally Poland and Tet Rally Latvia—the expansion aims to deliver an unparalleled rally experience. As these elite drivers put the game to the test, they shared their thoughts on its authenticity and immersive gameplay.
Dani Sordo: “A True-to-Life Experience”
Hyundai driver Dani Sordo, one of the most seasoned competitors in WRC history with nearly 200 rally starts, was impressed by the game’s realistic stages. Taking on the Polish gravel in his i20 N Rally1 HYBRID ‘24, Sordo highlighted how closely the virtual version mirrors real-life rallying.
“It’s great to practice on these locations because you recognize the stages from reality,” he said. “It’s a new experience for me, and I’m still getting up to speed in the game! You need a lot of focus to succeed. It feels really close to real rallying, though I have to say I’m faster in reality!”
Adrien Fourmaux: “Latvia Feels Just Right”
M-Sport’s Adrien Fourmaux, the breakout star of the 2024 season, has made waves by securing multiple podium finishes in the Ford Puma Rally1 HYBRID ‘24. When testing out the new Latvian stages, Fourmaux immediately recognized a key feature of the rally.
“It looks a lot like the actual Latvian rally,” he noted. “For example, this chicane I’m approaching now—there are a lot of them on the real stages. It really captures the feel of the roads we race on.”
Elfyn Evans: “Instant Recognition of Real-World Stages”
Toyota’s Elfyn Evans, fresh off a second-place finish at ORLEN 80th Rally Poland, felt right at home while navigating the Polish stages in the game. With co-driver Scott Martin calling the notes, Evans was struck by the level of realism.
“After spending some time with the game, I have to say the stages are incredibly accurate,” he observed. “I immediately recognized a couple of spots from last week’s rally in Poland. That’s amazing, and the way the car reacts feels very similar to real-world conditions. It’s seriously impressive.”
Jari-Matti Latvala: “A Valuable Tool for Young Drivers”
Toyota team principal Jari-Matti Latvala also had a go on the Fanatec rig, emphasizing the importance of sim racing for up-and-coming drivers.
“The graphics look fantastic, and the roads feel incredibly authentic,” he said. “For the next generation of drivers, like those in Toyota’s Japanese Challenge Programme, this kind of experience is invaluable. It helps them understand the rally environment before they even set foot on a real stage.”
Grégoire Munster: “Details That Make a Difference”
M-Sport rookie Grégoire Munster, known for his keen eye for detail, immediately noticed the environmental accuracy in the new WRC expansion.
“Right away, you can tell you’re in Poland,” he said. “The surface of the gravel is distinctively sandy and has a whiter tone than in other rallies. That level of precision adds so much to the realism.”
Hayden Paddon: “The Best Rally Game Yet”
Hyundai Customer Racing driver and 2023 European Rally Champion Hayden Paddon was blown away by his time in the virtual cockpit, particularly with the new Latvian stages.
“It’s amazing to experience these locations firsthand in such a realistic way,” Paddon enthused. “The new Latvian stages make you feel like you’re really there. The car handling is superb. It’s definitely the best rally game I’ve played, and I can’t wait for the expansion to be officially released.”
The Ultimate Rally Simulation
The feedback from WRC drivers underscores just how accurately EA SPORTS™ WRC 24 Season Expansion captures the essence of real-world rallying. With lifelike stage design, authentic car physics, and immersive environments, this expansion is set to provide rally fans with the most realistic virtual rallying experience to date. Whether you’re a seasoned sim racer or a newcomer to the world of WRC, the upcoming expansion promises an exhilarating ride through some of the most iconic rally locations in the world. Get ready to hit the dirt when the expansion launches soon!
