ERC
Neuville’s brother Heindrichs set for Junior ERC adventure
Tom Heindrichs is all set for the FIA Junior ERC Championship in 2026 – his prize for winning the ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup following a thrilling Central European Rally showdown earlier this month.
Heindrichs, the 21-year-old brother of 2024 FIA World Rally Championship title winner Thierry Neuville, secured the one-make title and accompanying Junior ERC prize drive after Alex Español, his points rival, crashed on the final stage of the cross-border event.
Belgian can look forward to a full Junior ERC campaign in 2026
© Opel Motorsport
“It will take a while for it all to really sink in,” said Belgian Heindrichs, who was co-driven by Luxembourger Jonas Schmitz. “It was a tough season in which not everything always went according to plan. But we took on every challenge and tried to make the best of it. That made us strong and helped us keep a cool head in this close final. I feel sorry for Sito (Alex Español), he was an extremely strong opponent. We also had our moments in the Power Stage, but we brought home the title and are extremely happy about that.”
Heindrichs can now look forward to a season in the Hankook-supplied Junior ERC at the wheel of an Opel Corsa Rally4 run by Manfred Stohl’s Stohl Racing operation.
“That was our goal,” Heindrichs continued. “We knew it wouldn't be easy, especially since almost all of the special stages were new to us this year. I am extremely proud of the whole team and of Jonas, who did a fantastic job. I can only thank all of our partners, without whom this would not have been possible. I have never learned as much as I have this season.”
Heindrichs sampled ERC competition on Rally di Roma Capitale
© ERC
Heindrichs has already tried the FIA European Rally Championship for size. Back in July he took part on Rally di Roma Capitale in the ERC4 category and went quickest in his class on the event-opening Colosseo ACI Roma super special before he eventually retired when he went off the road on the Power Stage.
Laurent Pellier (2021), Timo Schulz (2022), Calle Carlberg (2023) and Luca Pröglhöf (2024) all won the ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup to secure a Junior ERC campaign the following season. Pellier and Carlberg both went on to take the Junior ERC title.
