Tue 19 Jul 2022
Nil Solans’ FIA European Rally Championship title hopes have disintegrated after the Spaniard was forced to withdraw from Rally di Roma Capitale this week (22 - 24 July).
Solans already had two non-scores to his name after missing the Azores Rallye and retiring in Poland and his absence from the championship’s sixth round leaves his title hopes hanging by a thread.
It is understood that issues outside of Solans’ control meant his KOWAX Racing Hyundai i20 N Rally2 car was not available to be used.
Co-driver Marc Martí also injured his back while competing with Bruno Bulacia at WRC Rally Estonia last weekend, further compounding his woes.
Solans’ withdrawal brings current championship leader Efrén Llarena one step closer to lifting the crown. Mathematically, Solans could still win the title, but with dropped scores to take into account, the pressure is firmly on him and Simone Tempestini.
Romanian Tempestini currently holds third overall, 52 points behind Llarena. His hopes are slim and, should he have a poor result this week and Llarena scores strongly, it could be all over on Sunday afternoon.
Fourth-placed Alberto Battistoli also remains a mathematical outside chance of lifting the title.
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