Gill’s measured run of two victories - in Sweden and Portugal - plus two further podiums has kept the Australian on top all season. Johansson, though, has been the outright pacesetter, topping more stages than any other driver despite a number of costly errors leaving him win-less so far.
With 50 points on offer for a win instead of the usual 25, and 18 Wolf Stage Win Points still available, the title fight remains wide open. Because only the best four results count, Gill would replace a 17-point score from earlier in the year while Johansson discards just eight, giving the Swede slightly more to gain if either finishes strongly in Passau.
That arithmetic means Gill’s task is clear: a rally victory would guarantee the title regardless of Johansson’s result. Should Johansson triumph instead, he would overtake the Australian unless Gill finishes second and collects a sizeable advantage in stage-win bonuses. Even a battle for the minor podium places could prove decisive, with their classification points likely to be separated by only a handful before Wolf Stage Win Points are added.
Lurking just behind the leading pair are Ali Türkkan, whose Acropolis success made him the first Turkish Junior WRC event winner, Finland victor Eamonn Kelly and the ever-consistent Kerem Kazaz. All three would need to win the rally - and hope both Gill and Johansson falter - but mathematically remain in contention thanks to the double-scoring format.
The shift from gravel to autumn asphalt across Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic adds further jeopardy. The cross-border route mixes everything from narrow farm lanes to wide, high-grip German asphalt and often throws up changeable October weather with rain, fog and cool mornings making tyre choice a constant gamble.
Local hope and Beyond Rally Women’s Driver Development Programme winner Claire Schönborn is eager to impress on her preferred surface, while the rest of the Hankook-shod M-Sport Poland Ford Fiesta Rally3 Evo field includes Diego Domínguez and Max Smart.
Whoever lifts the trophy on Sunday will join an illustrious Junior WRC roll of honour that includes Sébastien Loeb, Sébastien Ogier and Elfyn Evans - and collect a career-defining prize of four fully-funded 2026 WRC2 outings in a Ford Fiesta Rally2 with additional tyre support from Hankook.
Central European Rally begins on Thursday evening with the ceremonial start in Passau before three days of flat-out asphalt action across Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic.
Maciej Woda, FIA Junior WRC Championship Manager: “This season has been one of the most competitive we’ve seen in Junior WRC, with three different winners from four rallies and the championship still wide open going into the finale. Central European Rally will be a brand-new challenge for most of the crews and I think we’re set for a thrilling conclusion. Whoever comes out on top will be a very deserving champion and ready to take the next step into WRC2 with M-Sport.”
