Why not everything’s staying the same for Battistolli in ERC

Battistolli, 25, placed seventh in last season’s ERC standings with fifth place on Rally Serras de Fafe his best result in the previous-generation Fabia run by the Delta Rally squad.

For the upcoming ERC season, the ACI Team Italia-supported driver, who is co-driven by compatriot Simone Scattolin, will be at the wheel of Škoda’s new Rally2 challenger for what is being planned as a full eight-event programme with Delta Rally.

“I want to see if the confidence and experience from last year is going to make a difference and to see if I am capable of putting myself in a podium position by the end of the year,” Battistolli said of his 2023 targets. “I know it’s a long shot, but it could really make a difference. It’s good everything will be the same, the same team, the same co-driver, just we are expecting the new Škoda as soon as it can be delivered. It will be a good year.”

The 2023 ERC season fires into life in Fafe from 10 - 12 March and Battistolli will be eager to build on the fifth place he achieved in northern Portugal 12 months ago.

“In Fafe we had crazy conditions last year and I get to the fifth place when everyone else was having trouble I was taking care, maybe too careful in some places,” Battistolli said. “But it was a good strategy although the result this year will depend on the conditions and my approach.”

Of the continued support of the Italian federation, the Automobile Club d’Italia, Battistolli added: “It’s always a pleasure to have some support from your own country and I am proud of being supported by the federation and to carry their name around Europe.”