ERC
Mabellini recruited to head Lancia’s topflight ERC return
Andrea Mabellini and Virginia Lenzi have been signed up to spearhead Lancia’s return to the FIA European Rally Championship’s top tier in 2026.
The Italian pairing, third in last season’s ERC standings, will compete in a Pirelli-equipped Lancia Ypsilon Rally2 HF entered under the Lancia Corse HF banner, run by F.P.F. Sport and further supported by ACI Sport.
What represents a huge opportunity for the pair is a further recognition of the ERC’s role in equipping drivers with the attributes needed to represent a major manufacturer. It’s also a recognition of its growing status as Lancia, an iconic brand in rallying, prepares to challenge for European title glory for the first time since 1993.
Mabellini, 26, said he’s determined to represent Lancia for the long term after being revealed as a factory-supported driver during the Racing Meeting event in Vicenza, Italy, last weekend.
Lancia Ypsilon Rally2 HF will be Mabellini and Lenzi's for 2026
© Lancia
“I never discovered in reality what [Lancia in rallying means] because probably I am too young,” said Mabellini, who’s made becoming European champion his only goal in 2026. “But I heard so many stories that I saw by my eyes [last weekend] with so many people around, looking, waiting of what the Lancia was about to announce.
“It means a lot, for sure we will have a lot of support from everybody from Italy and this is very important. It’s important also that a manufacturer is helping us, also for our future because I’m hoping it’s not just going to be a one-year shot but way longer than this.
“We have just one goal, we start to win of course, nothing else is possible.”
Mabellini and Lenzi, 27, have established themselves as one of the leading pairings in the ERC in recent seasons, winning for the first time on Rally Silesia in 2024 and challenging for last season’s title courtesy of two podiums and three Power Stage wins. They previously excelled at Rally4 level.
“Last year was the first year with a proper package, I think this one is even stronger so we will try to do something more,” Mabellini said. “It’s not a lot in terms of performance but we must be a little bit more constant, and we need just a little more luck, which will come for sure.”
We have just one goal, we start to win of course, nothing else is possible
Mabellini is due to complete a number of tests ahead of the 2026 ERC season getting under way in the spring. He also plans to tap into Andrea Crugnola’s knowledge of the Ypsilon Rally4 HF. The multiple Italian champion and. ERC event winner performed a key role in the car’s development and is a long-standing F.P.F. Sport driver.
Mabellini and Lenzi will be Lancia Corse HF's ERC1 representatives
© Lancia
Mabellini signing just part of Lancia’s ERC commitment
As well as confirming Andrea Mabellini and Virginia Lenzi’s 2026 FIA European Rally Championship campaign in an Ypsilon Rally2 HF, Lancia used last weekend’s Racing Meeting to further underline its commitment to the ERC.
During a press conference attended by Geronimo La Russa, President of ACI, and Giovanni Tombolato, Extraordinary Deputy Commissioner of ACI, plus senior Lancia management led by CEO Roberta Zerbi, and Miki Biaison, who won the 1983 ERC crown with Lancia power, it was announced that Francesco Dei Ceci and Davide Pesavento will drive Ypsilon Rally HFs run by F.P.F. Sport under the Lancia Corse HF banner. Danilo Fappani will co-drive Dei Ceci with Pesavento’s co-driver to be announced.
Further details of the programme, developed in partnership with ACI Sport, will be revealed soon.
Meanwhile, the winner of the one-make Trofeo Lancia, the Italy-based series for the Ypsilon Rally4 HF, providing they are under 35, can decide between a full ERC4 campaign in 2027 at the wheel of a Ypsilon Rally4 HF or a Campionato Italiano Assoluto Rally Sparco programme aboard an Ypsilon Rally2 HF.
