ERC
Austrian title winner Neulinger plots Junior ERC bid
Marcel Neulinger, a back-to-back Austrian Junior champion, is preparing to step up to the FIA Junior ERC Championship in 2026.
The 20-year-old will pilot an all-pink Lancia Ypsilon Rally4 HF in the Hankook-supplied series with the experienced Jürgen Heigl recruited to co-drive.
Fourteen-time Austrian champion Raimund Baumschlager will run Neulinger through his eponymous Baumschlager Rallye & Racing operation.
Double Austrian Junior champion Neulinger is heading to the ERC in 2026
© Marcel Neulinger
“This year marks an important milestone in my career as I make my debut in the Junior ERC, where the main goal is to gain valuable international experience and continue developing at the highest level of junior rallying,” Neulinger said. “We are especially looking forward to Sweden as the season opener. It will be our first gravel rally of the year and a completely new experience for us – a challenge that we are excited to take on from the very first stage.”
The main goal is to gain valuable international experience and continue developing at the highest level of junior rallying
As well as claiming a second Austrian Junior title in 2025, the second-generation rally driver clinched the Austrian 2WD crown despite only taking up the sport two and a half years ago.
“For the 2026 season, I am proud to have secured BWT as a global Austrian partner, a brand that is well known across international motorsport, including Formula One,” Neulinger continued. “With our striking pink Lancia Rally4, we will definitely stand out on and off the stages.”
BAUHAUS Royal Rally of Scandinavia kicks off the 2026 Junior ERC season from 22 - 24 May. Before then, the 43rd Andalusia Rally - Sierra Morena - Córdoba World Heritage Site forms the opening round of the 73rd FIA European Rally Championship season from 17 - 19 April.
