With Simone Tempestini claiming victory in a Michelin-equipped Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 and Mathieu Franceschi one place behind, also driving a Fabia RS Rally2 on Michelin tyres, Michelin holds the early advantage in this new-for-2024 contest.
Pirelli is second in the title chase following round one, 14 points behind Michelin, after home hero Miklós Csomós rounded out the podium places in a Fabia Rally2 Evo.
MRF and Hankook are equal third, level on 28 points. While MRF missed out on a podium finish having challenged for the lead for much of the rally, it did celebrate two stage wins.
As well as equipping the first Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 to score ERC points courtesy of Filip Mareš, Hankook supplied the entire FIA Junior ERC Championship field in its official partner role.
Tim Hoare, Michelin Motorsport’s ERC Rally Manager, said: “As soon as the FIA European Rally Championship for Tyre Suppliers was announced the target for Michelin was to win. There are very few opportunities at the elite level of motorsport where we can compete openly and showcase our full range of high-tech of rally tyres. For Rally Hungary we offered our customers the G91 Gravel tyre. For the next round we are on asphalt. It’s a completely new challenge but the same goal: to win.”
In addition to its outright victory, Michelin celebrated 10 fastest stage times with MRF take two stage wins and Pirelli one. Pirelli also equipped Filip Kohn, the winning FIA ERC3 driver.
Rally Islas Canarias is up next on the ERC schedule from 2-4 May.
FIA European Rally Championship for Tyre Suppliers after round 1/8:
1 Michelin: 54 points
2 Pirelli: 40 points
3 MRF: 28 points
4 Hankook: 28 points
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