ERC
ERC aces revved up to conquer Rome’s new-look rally
A mission of discovery is in store when the FIA European Rally Championship heads to Italy this week (3 - 5 July) for a Rally di Roma Capitale with a difference.
Featuring untried stages and a new base in Rome’s EUR district, the 10th Rally di Roma Capitale to count for the ERC promises to be a highlight of the season.
With a super special stage in front of Rome’s iconic Colosseum, a finishing ceremony a handful of paces from St Peter’s Square, mountainous stages to the northeast and east of the Eternal City, plus a record-breaking entry, Rally di Roma Capitale is an event not to be missed.
Italian ace is expexcted to challenge for Roma glory
© ERC
Andrea Mabellini, who finished second to double European champion Giandomenico Basso on Rally di Roma Capitale last season, is among the favourites to win the new-look event alongside co-driver Virginia Lenzi.
“It’s a totally different rally, a new race for everybody,” the 26-year-old Italian said. “The stages are new, the Tarmac is more abrasive and it will not be easy. It’s going to be crazy-hot and the entry list is crazy in terms of the level.”
It’s a totally different rally, a new race for everybody
After a mixed start to his ERC title bid, Mabellini will start Rally di Roma Capitale a winner following a dominant victory on Rally del Sebino earlier this month, which he used as a high-speed test session.
“It’s difficult to change things during an ERC race when you must provide all the time a good result,” Mabellini explained. “Doing this race close to home was good because we tried something very different on the car that helped me to understand it a little bit more. It was a really good effort from the team and important for our sponsors to give more visibility.”
Mabellini is part of a strong Lancia Corse HF line-up
© ERC
Pirelli-equipped Mabellini is one of four Rally2 drivers entered under the Lancia Corse HF banner on Rally di Roma Capitale along with two-time event winner and quadruple Italian champion Andrea Crugnola, and WRC2 frontrunners Nikolay Gryazin and Yohan Rossel.
As a five-time ERC event winner, Gryazin knows better than most what it takes to be successful at European level – and the tough competition he’ll face.
The 28-year-old, who will drive a Lancia Ypsilon Rally2 HF Integrale on Hankook tyres, said: “The competition in the ERC is very strong. There are a lot of talented drivers and experienced teams, and the level gets higher every year. To be at the front, you need to perform at your best from the first stage to the last.”
All roads lead to Rome for the ERC stars and their cars
© ERC
An incredible 85 crews will be eligible for ERC points on the all-asphalt event – including a record 39 in Rally2 cars – with Teemu Suninen, Michelin-supplied defending European champion Miko Marczyk and MRF-shod Simone Tempestini among the leading seeds.
The ERC’s popularity and appeal are also underlined by a 16-car FIA ERC3 line-up and a staggering 30 cars in FIA ERC4, including 16 in FIA Junior ERC.
In addition, the FIA Master ERC category has attracted seven entries, while 10 crews are preparing to chase the incentives on offer in the ERC Fiesta Rally3 Trophy.
The 85 drivers competing with ERC priority status represent 25 countries, a further four countries are represented by the 28 drivers competing without ERC priority status. In total 113 crews have entered Italy’s round of the ERC, which is also part of the Campionato Italiano Assoluto Rally Sparco schedule.
Rising star Sandrin heads the ERC4 standings
© ERC
Meanwhile, Rally di Roma Capitale will host an exciting new contest between Fédération Française du Sport Automobile (FFSA) and Automobile Club d’Italia (ACI). Two teams of six crews have been formed for the inaugural National Match Rally with points, prizes and bragging rights up for grabs.
How to watch?
Fans across the globe can experience the excitement and drama of the ERC with every stage of every rally broadcast Rally.TV platform. In addition, the ERC is broadcast in a number of countries around the world and fans are advised to check local listings for details.
Rally di Roma Capitale 2026: the key numbers
Stages: 11
Competitive distance: 197.02 kilometres
Total distance: 1084.76 kilometres
