Llarena: ERC points mean nothing, it’s all about the position

The 2022 champion is equal third on points with Mads Østberg and can finish ahead of the Norwegian if he out-scores him on the Nyíregyháza-based event this weekend.

But Llarena, who is co-driven by Sara Fernández, is only focused on his performance as he works towards securing a 2024 ERC campaign.  

“If I need to be honest I don’t know how many points I have so the only plan is just to go and do a good result here,” the Spaniard said. “A good result is important for next year, especially for the sponsor, brands, teams everything. The last rally is always like a bonus rally where you want to do really well.”

Llarena scored his first ERC podium on Rally Hungary in 2020 and is a fan of the stages in the Zemplén region.   

“I really love this rally, it’s like Barum but a bit more fast,” said the 28-year-old. “The stages are very demanding but let’s see for the weather forecast. Tomorrow will be okay but on Sunday maybe there will be some showers so we will see.”  

Llarena will pilot the same Brynda Racing Škoda Fabia R5 he used on Barum Czech Rally Zlín: “It’s a good car, the chassis is working well, we miss a bit of power but maybe here we don’t need a lot of power here.”