At the international driving presentation of the new Opel Mokka GSE in Madrid, we spoke to Junior European Champion Calle Carlberg and the reigning ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup champion Tom Heindrichs about Opel’s commitment to young rally talent, their long-term goals and the close relationship with their co-drivers. Both drivers agree: without the support of Opel Motorsport they would not be where they are today.
Opel Post: First of all, thank you very much for your time – and congratulations on your successes this season. If you each had to choose a personal highlight of the year, what would it be?
Calle Carlberg: For me it was the victory in the Czech Republic. The rally was really difficult for us, but when we crossed the finish line and realized that together with Opel and everyone who supported us, we had won the European title – it was just an incredible feeling. I had never experienced such intense emotions before. It felt surreal – but incredibly special.
Tom Heindrichs: For me it actually came down to the last special stage of the season. We came to Austria second in the championship and everything depended on the final special stage, the Power Stage. Unfortunately, Sito (Alex Espanol, the leader up to that point) got off the track and rolled over. When we heard he was okay, emotions ran high. It was a great moment and it just felt really good.
“Co-pilots are like friends.”
Opel Post: Unlike many other forms of motorsport, success in rallying does not just depend on the driver. How important is the relationship between driver and passenger?
Calle Carlberg: It is absolutely crucial. If you look at the results of this year and my career so far, it always comes down to teamwork. You spend so much time together in the car, under pressure – the connection has to be perfect. Every second counts and the highest precision is required. It’s not just about the announcements, but about trust, communication and mutual understanding. (laughs) It’s almost like having a girlfriend – only in a rally car. You really have to be able to harmonize and work together. You spend more time with your co-pilot than with many people in your private life.
Tom Heindrichs: Yes, exactly. You’ve been together for so long that you have to understand each other completely. And I see my passenger more often than my girlfriend. And it’s not just about the driving – it’s also the preparation, the organization and everything that happens outside the car. Without this connection it would be impossible.
Opel Post: You both seem very calm and down-to-earth. How important is this for success in rallying?
Calle Carlberg: Everyone’s personality is different, but I think being down-to-earth helps you grow. When you believe you are better than everyone else, you stop learning. I always try to learn from others – including my competitors. This attitude helps one to achieve higher goals.
Tom Heindrichs: Speed doesn’t make you a better person. What matters is how you treat the people around you – your team, your supporters, your fans. You have to remain human and respectful, no matter how fast you are going.
“Opelist’s youth system is absolutely crucial.”
The Swede Calle Carlberg, born in 2002, is the reigning junior European champion. He went through the Opel Motorsport junior program and made a name for himself with consistently strong performances in the Opel Corsa Rally Electric.
Tom Heindrichs, born in 2001, comes from Belgium. After his overall victory in the ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup this year, he will switch to the ADAC Opel Rally Junior Team and go on the hunt for the title in the European Championship next year.
Opel Post: You both completed the Opel Motorsport youth program. How important are such competitions for young rally drivers?
Calle Carlberg: For me it was absolutely crucial. Motorsport – and especially rallying – is incredibly expensive. I didn’t have any big sponsors or family support, so the Opel Electric Rally Cup was the only realistic path for me. He gave me the chance to show what I can do. If it wasn’t for him, I honestly wouldn’t be here today.
Tom Heindrichs: It was very similar for me. I had raced before and even won championship titles in Belgium, but there was no clear next step. That’s why it was very exciting to be able to compete in the Electric Cup. The level of competition in the Cup is really high. Every test counts and you can’t afford any mistakes. This allows you to develop enormously as a driver. The victory in the Opel Cup has now opened the way to the European stage for me – and I’m already looking forward to next season.
Opel Post: What are your long-term goals in rallying?
Calle Carlberg: The ultimate dream is of course to become world champion. But we know it’s a long road. At the moment it’s about setting realistic goals and moving forward step by step. Rallying is my job and I want to do it for many more years.
Tom Heindrichs: The World Championship is also my biggest goal, but at the moment the focus is on my development – and on the ADAC Opel Junior Team. Taking every step cleanly and developing further every season is now a priority.
Strong, fast, uncompromising: The Opel Mokka GSE Rally in full operation on the “Circuito de Madrid Jarama – RACE”.
From the late 1960s to the early 1980s, it was the scene of great Formula 1 triumphs: Stewart, Fittipaldi, Lauda and other greats celebrated their victories here.
Calle Carlberg (here in the photo on the left) and Tom Heindrichs were at the media event in Madrid to bring the GSE rally feeling closer to journalists.
Warming up for the 2026 season: The new Opel Mokka GSE Rally has been undergoing an intensive testing and development program for several months now.
The world’s first rally car designed according to the new FIA eRally5 regulations will replace the Corsa Rally Electric from next season.
Opel Post: How big is the difference between the Opel Corsa Rally Electric and the Opel Mokka GSE Rally?
Calle Carlberg: The step is enormous. The Mokka GSE has twice as much power. Here on the racetrack it feels perfect, but on rally stages it is very intense. I had the pleasure of driving it at the Central European Rally this year. It is fast, stable and incredibly exciting – and in terms of performance it is already close to a world championship car. With a top speed of 200 km/h, it’s crazy to see the trees flying by on the narrow roads we drive on during a rally.
Tom Heindrichs: When I drove the Mokka GSE Rally for the first time, it was actually a bit intimidating. Cold tires, wet conditions and suddenly all this power. But once you get used to it, it’s incredibly fun. It delivers exactly the adrenaline and excitement you’re looking for as a rally driver.
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“Suddenly all this power.”
Opel Post: Journalists had the opportunity to ride in the car with you. How did they react?
Calle Carlberg: If you watch from the outside, you don’t get the real feel for it. Everything is moving inside, the speed seems extreme and you have to make decisions in split seconds. Some journalists have told me that they now understand why I am European champion. However, a rally test is something completely different – and even more intense.
Tom Heindrichs: I had a few journalists who were in a rally car for the first time and their reactions were great. They all got out with big smiles, which was really cool. As Calle said, experiencing the car on the track is one thing, but it’s built for rallying – and on a real rally test it’s even more impressive.
OMG! From rally use to the road: The Mokka GSE benefits from Opel’s pioneering work in electric motorsport.
November 2025
Interview: Antonia Schmidt and Mark Bennett, photos: Andreas Liebschner and Dani Heyne