Who is Tom Heindrichs - Revelation of the Spa Rally

The story could hardly have been more symbolic. Just one day after his brother Thierry Neuville claimed victory in Saudi Arabia, Tom Heindrichs came close to writing his own name into the history books at the Spa Rally. Victory narrowly slipped away, but the 21-year-old from St. Vith left an unforgettable impression and confirmed that his future in rallying is only just beginning.

From a distance, the resemblance is striking. Tall, slim, round glasses, calm demeanor - the likeness to his illustrious brother is obvious. And when Tom climbed into the car wearing Thierry’s helmet, the parallel became impossible to ignore. But beyond the physical similarities, it was his mindset that truly stood out throughout the Spa Rally.

In extremely tricky conditions, Tom showed impressive control, confidence and maturity. Despite suffering three punctures and a rare mistake on cold tyres, his only error of the weekend, he remained composed and focused. These setbacks ultimately prevented him from challenging for outright victory, yet they did nothing to diminish the quality of his performance.

At the finish, frustration was nowhere to be found. Instead, Tom celebrated his podium finish with a broad smile, his supporters, and the satisfaction of a job well done. Voted Driver of the Day by the public, he had clearly made his mark.

“I think we can be really proud,” he summarized. “The pace was there to win. Apart from the issues, we were fast on every stage, constantly in the top three. I learned a lot this weekend.”

What made the performance even more remarkable was the context. Spa marked Tom’s first competitive outing in a Citroën C3 Rally2, and his first real Rally2 experience in over a year. Against one of the strongest fields of the Belgian Rally Championship season, he set eight fastest stage times across 15 stages and was ultimately beaten only by two highly experienced drivers.

Building the Path Step by Step

Rallying has always been part of Tom Heindrichs’ world. He was just ten years old when Thierry Neuville claimed his first WRC victory, inspiring a new generation, including his younger brother.

Tom’s own journey began early. After karting and cross car racing, he made his rally debut at just 18 years old at the East Belgian Rally in 2022. Only weeks later, he impressed at the Spa Rally with a Renault Clio Rally5, scoring a class win and a top-20 overall finish.

Progress followed quickly. In 2023 and 2024, Tom competed in the Stellantis Cup Belux with an Opel Corsa Rally4, claiming multiple victories and securing the championship title in 2024.

Rather than immediately stepping up, he chose a different path in 2025, joining the Opel e-Rally Cup in Germany. The bold move paid off. With three wins and a season-long title fight, Tom claimed his second championship in as many years and earned a fully funded seat with the ADAC Opel Rally Junior Team in the 2026 Junior ERC.

Looking Ahead

The Spa Rally performance has naturally sparked strong interest in seeing Tom back in a Rally2 car on Belgian roads. While budget remains a key challenge, one thing is certain: Tom Heindrichs has proven he belongs at the highest level.

Calm, determined and focused on long-term growth, he is building his career step by step with his feet firmly on the ground and his eyes set on the future.