ERC
Suninen success a big boost for Pirelli in ERC
Pirelli closed in on winning the FIA European Rally Championship for Tyre Suppliers for the second year running as it helped Teemu Suninen clinch the ERC Drivers’ crown* in Wales.
After winning its first Tyre Supplier crown in 2025, Pirelli will celebrate making it back-to-back titles during next month’s Rally Six Cities North of Portugal finale after Suninen and Max McRae finished second and fourth respectively on JDS Machinery Rali Ceredigion.
Suninen put together an extremely solid season, combining speed, consistency and race management
Commenting on Suninen’s title success following the Welsh Tarmac event, Terenzio Testoni, Pirelli rally activity manager, said: “Winning the title with one round to spare is a result of great significance. Suninen put together an extremely solid season, combining speed, consistency and race management, as he also demonstrated in Wales.”
Marczyk finished third for Michelin in Wales
© ERC
There was also success for Michelin in Wales with Kris Meeke winning JDS Machinery Rali Ceredigion outright and Miko Marczyk completing the podium behind Suninen, who finished second.
“It’s so enjoyable when the package is right with the Michelin tyres on the car,” said Meeke. “I enjoy to drive, as everyone knows. When the package is right, I can drive.”
Cais was the top MRF-equipped finisher on his Ceredigion debut
© ERC
Meanwhile, Team MRF Tyres edged closer to winning the FIA European Rally Championship for Teams for a fourth time thanks to the efforts of Erik Cais and Simone Tempestini.
Pirelli-shod Ville Vatanen secured the FIA ERC3 crown with his fourth win from six starts driving a Ford Fiesta Rally3 for KMS Racing.
Hankook-equipped Timo Schulz won FIA ERC4 to move into the points lead ahead of the Rally Six Cities North of Portugal finale next month. Hankook is also the official FIA Junior ERC supplier.
Hankook-shod Schulz took top ERC4 and Junior ERC honours
© ERC
FIA European Rally Championship after 6 of 7 rounds:
1 Pirelli 279 points
2 Michelin 247
3 MRF 187
4 Hankook 152
*Subject to confirmation of the results by the FIA
