A significant driver change has been confirmed for the upcoming 2025 World Driving Championship (WDC) to be held in New Zealand this November.

Italian representative Antonio Simioli has withdrawn due to personal reasons and has been replaced by Giampaolo Minnucci, the driver who gained fame and world-wide success with superstar Italian trotter Varenne.

Known as Il Capitano (The Captain), Varenne was acclaimed as the greatest trotter in harness racing history, earning $5,651,061    with 62 wins from just 73 starts. 

As his regular driver, Minnucci played a critical role in Varenne’s success. Among their greatest performances was the win in a new world record at the 2001 Breeders Crown at The Meadowlands, the 2001 Trot Mondial at Hippodrome de Montreal and their two wins at Sweden’s great race, the Elitloppet in 2001 and 2002.

Italy has won the WDC twice before in its 55 year history – Roberto Andreghetti (1997) and Guiseppe Guzzinati (1972).

The 10 drivers (in alphabetical order) as of press time are:

• Brett Beckwith (USA)
• Mats Djuse (Sweden)
• Gary Hall Jr. (Australia)
• James MacDonald (Canada)
• Giampaolo Minnucci (Italy)
• Michael Nimczyk (Germany)
• Blair Orange (New Zealand)
• Santtu Raitala (Finland)
• Jaap van Rijn (Netherlands)
• Pierre Vercruysse (France)

(with files from HRNZ)