Impressive from the outset at this level of competition—securing the Open 2WD Pro Am title in his debut campaign—Lucas Gabrielsson took another step forward in 2025 by going head-to-head with Viktor Johansson. Now firmly established among the frontrunners, the Finnish driver is aiming to turn that momentum into a title bid this season with a revised and refined Toyota Starlet.

After falling just eight points short of the crown, with five podium finishes including two victories, Gabrielsson used the off-season to further develop a technical package that had already proven its strength over recent months.

Throughout the winter, the focus was placed on overall optimisation, with a methodical approach aimed at extracting performance from every detail.

“During the winter, we mainly focused on the areas we didn’t have time to finalise during the 2025 season. We worked on optimising the engine and improving the overall package,” Gabrielsson explained, before continuing:

“At the same time, we also tried to reduce the weight of the car as much as possible. Small improvements in different areas can make a big difference. The goal was to make the whole package even more efficient and competitive for the new season.”

Those refinements have already translated into increased confidence behind the wheel—an essential factor at this level of competition.

“With this concept, having more power makes the car even more enjoyable to drive. In my view, it’s now better than it has ever been. The main adjustment has been in my driving style. With more power, you need to be more precise with the throttle and in managing traction. But overall, it’s a really enjoyable car to drive.”

While the technical foundation now appears stronger than ever, Gabrielsson remains clear-eyed about where the biggest gains are still to be found.

“For me, the biggest area for improvement is still my own driving. There are always things to learn and ways to become faster, so that’s probably where the greatest potential lies. The car, on the other hand, has evolved in the right direction and, with the right people around us, we’ve managed to build a very competitive package. The chassis still needs a bit more work to fully exploit the current level of power, but overall we are clearly moving in the right direction.”

With a proven package, growing confidence and unfinished business from last season, Gabrielsson enters 2026 not just as a contender—but as a driver increasingly difficult to ignore.