ERC
From Junior ERC to Europe’s top league for Kauppinen
Tuukka Kauppinen will swap the Lancia Ypsilon Rally4 HF he used in Junior ERC last season for an all-new Lancia Ypsilon Rally2 HF Integrale when he embarks on a full ERC1 campaign in 2026.
The 19-year-old, fifth in Junior ERC at his first attempt in 2025, is making the move to European rallying’s top level in one of the all-new Italian machines.
Competing alongside co-driver Topi Luhtinen, Rautio Motorsport-managed Kauppinen will partner British champion William Creighton at Michelin-equipped Hungarian outfit Tagai Racing Technology.
“It’s great to continue working with Lancia,” said Finn Kauppinen, who also finished runner-up in his national SM1 category in 2025. “The goal is to show our potential and build a progressive season. Experience from last year will definitely help in a couple of rallies, but there’s also a lot that’s new with the change of car.
The goal is to show our potential and build a progressive season
“I’ve driven on Michelin tyres for almost my entire career and have been extremely satisfied with them. This year Michelin plays a significant role in our ERC programme, and I believe we can achieve strong results together, especially on gravel.
“The calendar is quite asphalt-focused but, at the same time, we still need more experience on asphalt. We’ll gain that this year and put full effort into improving. On gravel, I believe we can be fighting close to the front right away.”
Junior ERC stint in 2025 has given Kauppinen crucial experience
© ERC
Tagai Racing Technology owner Tamas Tagai said: “Tuukka is still very young but has already shown his speed. Considering his age, he has time to learn, develop, and gain experience. I’m really looking forward to starting the collaboration with him.”
Markku Rautio, Kauppinen’s manager, said: “We are now looking to give Tuukka experience in conditions that have traditionally been more challenging for Finnish drivers on the road to becoming a professional rally driver. Our goal is to develop Tuukka into a well-rounded driver who is comfortable in all conditions. It’s great that TRT, Michelin and Stellantis see the same potential in Tuukka as we do and have offered their support for the ERC campaign – we are truly grateful for it.”
Michelin Motorsport’s Tim Hoare said: “It is great to see Tuukka and Topi competing at the very top level in the ERC. We have been part of Tuukka’s story from local entry-level rally events right through to the top level of Rally2 competition in the Finnish championship in 2024 and 2025. The pace will be world class in the ERC, but this is the logical next step on the path to the very top of the sport for this pair. We are proud to be part in this programme and can offer them the very best rally tyres to allow them to deliver results in all conditions.”
Kauppinen shocked the sport by winning the 2025 Arctic Lapland Rally
© AKK Sports/Taneli Niinimaki
François Wales, who heads up Stellantis Motorsport’s customer racing division, added: “We are convinced that as a very young talent, with an already impressive rally experience, this will result as a great and competitive combo in the 2026 ERC. We are confident that at the wheel of our new Lancia Ypsilon Rally2 HF Integrale and with TRT support, Tuukka will pursue his excellent progression.”
The 43rd Andalusia Rally - Sierra Morena - Córdoba World Heritage Site opens the 73rd ERC season 17 - 19 April. Kauppinen made his European championship debut on the all-Tarmac event last April.
