ERC
ERC Drive of the Year voting is open
It’s time to vote for the ERC Drive of the Year from the shortlist of five outstanding performances delivered during the 2025 FIA European Rally Championship season.
While there were countless stunning drives to consider, the ERC media team has narrowed these down to five nominees for this prestigious fan award. The chosen five are:
Jon Armstrong (JDS Machinery Rali Ceredigion)
Pirelli-equipped Armstrong was brilliant on the challenging Welsh lanes to build on his heroic second-place finish on Barum Czech Rally Zlín the previous month and rekindle his outside title hopes. With Shane Byrne co-driving, Armstrong snatched the lead on Saturday’s first stage and never looked back, winning by almost half a minute to end M-Sport’s barren ERC run in the process.
Jon Armstrong
© ERC
Eyvind Brynildsen (BAUHAUS Royal Rally of Scandinavia)
Brynildsen spent the ERC season opener providing his expert comments on Rally.TV’s live coverage of 42nd Rally Sierra Morena - Córdoba Patrimonio de la Humanidad. After coming out of semi-retirement, the 37-year-old headed across the border from Norway into Sweden for round three and promptly delivered the kind of performance that once had him on Volkswagen’s shortlist for a factory WRC drive. What served as his first international event win came after he fended off a stern challenge from home hero Isak Reiersen for victory on the fast-paced gravel stages driving a Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 on Pirelli tyres alongside navigator Jørn Listerud.
Rooope Korhonen
© ERC
Roope Korhonen (ERC Staff House Rally Hungary)
Driving a MRF Tyres-equipped Toyota GR Yaris Rally2, Korhonen enjoyed an ERC debut that dreams are made of when he won in Hungary after he made it through a rough and tough route with five stage wins from a possible 13 under the guidance of co-driver Anssi Viinikka. His success came despite tyre damage and time penalty.
Andrea Mabellini
© ERC
Andrea Mabellini (ERC Staff House Rally Hungary)
Armed with a Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 and Pirelli tyres, Mabellini produced an impressive drive to avoid the trouble that caught out many of his rivals on leg one of ERC Staff House Rally Hungary. With Virginia Lenzi co-driving, Mabellini posted fastest times on four of the opening day’s six tricky gravel stages to hold a 10.6sec lead over Roope Korhonen. However, suspension damaged caused by a flat tyre with two stages remaining forced his early exit just as a second ERC career victory appeared to be his.
Mārtiņš Sesks (ORLEN OIL 81st Rally Poland)
Sesks delivered an outstanding drive on his return to the ERC, storming to a dominant victory on ORLEN OIL 81st Rally Poland behind the wheel of a MRF Tyres-supplied Škoda Fabia RS Rally2. Back on ERC duty for the first time since Delfi Rally Estonia in July 2024, the 2023 title runner-up was rarely challenged across Poland’s fast gravel stages. He posted nine fastest times from the 14 tests to take a second career Rally Poland win – following his 2023 triumph – and a fourth ERC victory overall with Renars Francis co-driving.
Mārtiņš Sesks
© ERC
As well as the Livery of the Year, Most Improved Driver of the Year, Quote of the Year and Drive of the Year polls, there will also be the opportunity to vote for the Rookie of the Year in the coming days. All votes close at 18h00 CET on 22 September. The awards will be presented at the ERC Awards night in Croatia on 5 October.
