WRC Podcasts

Arguably no driver more than Hayden Paddon knows the highs and lows of cutting it at the highest echelon of rallying. Mounting a WRC career from the remoteness of New Zealand’s South Island, the ‘Kiwi’ made it all the way to the top step of the podium but even that was not enough to secure his full-time future in the sport. Instead, the now 36-year-old changed tact and currently finds himself on the cusp of European glory. Ahead of the sixth round of the FIA European Rally Championship season, Paddon sat down with Becs Williams to share his story.

From Italy to Disneyland to a chance opportunity a rallying icon – Alex Gelsomino’s rise through the ranks of rallying co-driving is a journey in itself. In this edition of Backstories presented by Becs Williams the recently-turned 50-year-old talks through his career, including his special relationship with the iconic Ken Block.

Behind the wheel of a rally car, Michéle Mouton transcended the world of rallying to become an iconic athlete of the eighties. In this captivating chat with Becs Williams, Mouton reveals that the career that redefined boundaries might never have been were it not for a chance encounter at a rock’n’roll dance off. The 1982 WRC runner-up recalls her rivalries with Ari Vatenen and Walter Röhrl and her special friendship with teammate Hannu Mikkola. Nothing is left untouched in the first edition of WRC Backstories for 2023 as she speaks openly of learning of her father’s death just hours before competing in the 1982 Rallye Côte d’Ivoire as well as the adversity that drove her to breaking the then-record for Pikes Peak in 1985.

From behind the lens, Colin McMaster has a truly unique perspective of rallying. As a photographer on the WRC circuit since the mid-nineties, McMaster tends to let his photos do the talking, appearing in books, print and online around the world. However, on this occasion McMaster has put down the camera, sitting down with Becs Williams for the latest episode of WRC Backstories.

Long before Guenther Steiner was gracing our screens as an unassuming star of Netflix hit series ‘Drive to Survive’ the Italian was earning his stripes as a rally mechanic, moving steadily through the ranks whilst working with the likes of Colin McRae and Carlos Sainz. The Haas F1 Team boss took time out of his schedule to sit with Becs Williams to reminisce over his rallying days for the latest episode of WRC Backstories, the championship’s official podcast.

Esapekka Lappi has a built a reputation as being one of the most open, frank and honest drivers in the WRC service park, making him the perfect guest for Backstories. From his decision to move to Citroën and now his return to Toyota Gazoo Racing, Lappi shares everything of his career to date with Becs Williams.

Having made a career out of dictating to world rally drivers, Seb Marshall has now found a new career: listening to them. The world rally-winning co-driver has excelled in his second career as a stage-end reporter, providing a familiar face and gaining an immediate rapport with drivers. The Englishman now sits down with Becs Williams to talk over a life in rallying on the latest episode of WRC Backstories.

A self-professed farm boy, Rich Millener's journey from parts department to the man who calls the shots at M-Sport Ford is as unlikely as it is inspiring. Becs Williams catches up with the Petter Solberg fan boy on the latest episode of WRC Backstories

Becs Williams has managed to track down the world’s fastest and busiest retiree Sébastien Loeb for the latest episode of WRC Backstories, just hours before the motorsport legend began his testing for Vodafone Rally de Portugal, once more reiterating that ‘age is just a number.’

Thrust from the sidelines into one of the hottest seats in the WRC on the world's most iconic rally, Martijn Wydaeghe became a household name in rallying circles across one whirlwind week in January 2021. The talented Belgian co-driver now reflects on his first 14 months reading the notes for Thierry Neuville

With rallying royalty in his blood, it was only natural that this guest followed in his father's footsteps into the WRC. What was not however foreseen was just how quickly the young driver would establish himself at the forefront of the sport. Becs Williams kicks off the 2022 season with Finnish wunderkind Kalle Rovanperä.

Follow his first season as team principal of Toyota Gazoo Racing, Jari-Matti Latvala sits down with Becs Williams to reflect on his new role and his career to date.

ACI Rally Monza will see the curtains drawn on the career of one of the WRC’s greatest and most successful co-drivers, Julian Ingrassia. Ahead of his 168th and final start, Ingrassia took time to sit down with Becs Williams and reflect on a remarkable career that may just end in an eighth world title.

With 144 starts in the WRC spanning four decades, Chris Patterson retires as one of the most experienced co-drivers in the history of the Championship. From driving a stage for Petter Solberg to taking up the call from Gus Greensmith at the beginning of 2021, this is his story.

Like most Finns, Mikko Hirvonen’s rallying legacy began at an incredibly young age. Now, he reveals to Becs Williams how he evolved from driving cars on a frozen lake next to his father’s house, to winning rallies around the world.

From a hobby co-driver to WRC winner on home turf, this is the story of Brit Dan Barritt, a man who still seems in awe of where his hobby has taken him.

Coming up in the world of motorsport from the southern hemisphere, Molly Taylor has made it something of a habit of breaking through barriers. Now the Australian is back in Europe for an all-new challenge.

From winning multiple WRC manufacturers’ championships, to orchestrating a one-two-three podium on Monte-Carlo, to setting the quickest time ever up Pikes Peak, the current Williams F1 Technical Director Francois-Xavier Demaison has no shortage of stories to share in the latest episode of WRC Backstories, presented by Becs Williams.

Caption: Already practicing stage-end interviews in his backyard as a child, it was clear that a future in the WRC was calling for Craig Breen. In this heartfelt chat with Becs Williams, Irishman Breen talks through his beginnings in carting, 60-hour-plus bus trips to make Shakedown and the loss of close friend and co-driver Gareth "Jaffa" Roberts.

Fresh off his 50th WRC victory and record-breaking 8th Rallye Monte-Carlo victory, Sébastien Ogier opens up with Becs Williams in the first episode of Backstories – the official podcast of the WRC – for 2021