For better or worse, Mads Østberg is a competitor who wears his heart on his sleeve, making him one of the most relatable drivers in rallying. Whilst still competing at the top level behind the wheel, the recently engaged Norwegian is also enjoying a natural progression to life behind the mic - becoming essential listening when he steps into the booth next to Becs Williams. And his edition of Backstories next to his co-commentator Williams is nothing less than what you would expect from Østberg: frank, honest and relatable.

Fast-tracked into the WRC in 2024 on the back of some head-turning dominant performances on gravel at European Championship level, anybody who did not know the name Mārtiņš Sesks before ORLEN 80th Rally Poland was left in no doubt following one of the most-talked about WRC debuts in history. But debut success does not automatically guarantee a seat at the top table of rallying. Listen to the 25-year-old Latvian’s story, as told to Becs Williams in this month’s edition of WRC Backstories, official podcast of the FIA World Rally Championship.

Calling the office of Polish rallying legend Sobiesław Zasada every day for five months to get a meeting, before moving his entire life to the north-west of England to work for Malcolm Wilson, determination has never been an issue for Maciej Woda. Becs Williams delves deep into Woda’s rise through the ranks of Wilson’s workshop to now running M-Sport Poland and becoming one of the most recognisable faces in the service park as the boss of the FIA Junior WRC.

One of Backstories’ first-ever guests, Thierry Neuville returns to the WRC’s official podcast as the freshly-crowned world champion. Joining Becs Williams once again, the Belgian reflects on the past five seasons – from the highs of victory on home soil to the lows of 2022 – in this must-listen episode ahead of his title defence opener.