ERC
Celebration time: Pirelli’s ERC Tyre Supplier title, MRF’s win
MRF and Pirelli were the big winners during the deciding round of the 2026 FIA European Rally Championship for Tyre Suppliers, Rally 6 Cities North of Portugal.
With Mārtiņš Sesks claiming victory on the gravel-based event, MRF celebrated its first ERC win of the season, as Pirelli celebrated landing the FIA European Rally Championship for Tyre Suppliers for the second year running.
Using various specifications of its P Zero asphalt tyre and the new-for-2026 Scorpion AT gravel tyre, Pirelli took wins on BAUHAUS Royal Rally of Scandinavia, Rally di Roma Capitale, and 82nd Rally Poland during the ERC season.
Sesks scored a first victory of 2026 for MRF
© ERC
Pirelli-equipped crews won 45 of the ERC’s 101 special stages this season, accounting for 45 per cent of the total stage wins. On asphalt, they claimed 32 wins from 68 stages, or 47 per cent, while on gravel they won 13 of 33 stages, equivalent to 39 per cent.
Terenzio Testoni, Pirelli’s Rally Activity manager, said: “This season rewards the work of our drivers and the entire team, as well as a clear technical commitment: to keep developing the range even when our products are already competitive. With the Scorpion AT, we introduced a new tread pattern and improved compounds; with the P Zero, we focused on compound development. The results came on both surfaces and in very different conditions. Suninen converted his speed into a title through a remarkably solid and consistent season, while Mabellini and the crews contesting individual rounds made a vital contribution to our success in the manufacturers’ standings.”
This season rewards the work of our drivers and the entire team, as well as a clear technical commitment
Michelin-equipped Sarrazin finished second
© ERC
Also, on Rally 6 Cities North of Portugal, Michelin secured the runner-up spot in the FIA European Rally Championship for Tyre Suppliers with Pablo Sarrazin finishing second in a Lancia Ypsilon Rally2 HF Integrale and Jan Solans claiming fourth in a Škoda Fabia RS Rally2.
Sesks’ victory was achieved behind the wheel of a Fabia RS Rally2, while Roope Korhonen completed the event podium for MRF driving a Toyota GR Yaris Rally2. MRF also clinched third place in the FIA European Rally Championship for Teams.
Pirelli added victory in ERC3 on Rally 6 Cities North of Portugal with Rio Ogata claiming the honours in a Renault Clio Rally3, while Tymek Abramowski and Ville Vatanen took up their prize drives for winning the Pirelli-supported ERC Fiesta Rally3 Trophy in 2025 and 2026 respectively.
Nordstrand was a winner on Hankook tyres
© ERC
Opel Corsa Rally4-driving Karl Peder Nordstrand won FIA ERC4 and FIA Junior ERC for Hankook as Timo Schulz claimed the ERC4 and Hankook-supplied Junior ERC championships, also driving a Corsa Rally4.
FIA European Rally Championship after 7 of 7 rounds:
1 Pirelli 279 points
2 Michelin 264
3 MRF 212
4 Hankook 184
