Sun 22 Sep 2024

Have your say! Vote for the ERC Most Improved Driver of the Year

Several drivers have reached new heights in this season’s FIA European Rally Championship. And now’s the time to select the best of the best from a shortlist of four in the latest round of voting for the popular ERC fan awards.

The nominees for the ERC Most Improved Driver of the Year appear below and a reminder that fans can vote via the ERC’s social media channels.  


Mathieu Franceschi  


Mille Johansson  


Andrea Mabellini  


Simone Tempestini  


Mathieu Franceschi
Franceschi (top) proved to be as fast on asphalt as he was on gravel – his favoured surface – during a year in which he’s been pushing defending champion Hayden Paddon for the ERC title. He followed up his first ERC podium – on the loose-surface V-Híd Rally Hungary – by challenging Yoann Bonato for victory all the way on the Tarmac stages of Rally Islas Canarias. He was also a podium visitor on JDS Machinery Rali Ceredigion.

Mille Johansson
Although he showed glimpses of promise during his first season at international level in 2023, Johansson (above) came on strong in 2024 with wins on Rally Islas Canarias and BAUHAUS Royal Rally of Scandinavia key to his capture of the Hankook-supplied FIA Junior ERC Championship crown with one event to spare.

Andrea Mabellini
The recipient of this highly acclaimed recognition in 2023, Mabellini (above) showed more progression for Team MRF Tyres in 2024. Never giving up, the Italian landed his maiden ERC podium finish in only his second year at Rally2 level following a stunning charge on the JDS Machinery Rali Ceredigion Power Stage.

Simone Tempestini
Tempestini banked a breakthrough victory on V-Híd Rally Hungary in April (above) on the back of a coming-of-age performance alongside co-driver Sergiu Itu. The multiple Romanian champion also challenged for the podium on Rally di Roma Capitale and JDS Machiney Rali Ceredigion.   


ERC championship manager Iain Campbell said: “We’re really pleased to be bringing back the ERC fan awards for 2024. They’ve proved really popular since we introduced them in 2022 and it’s great to give the fans the opportunity to have their say. From looking at the list of nominees I can see the voting being really close and I look forward to seeing the final results.”  


Visit FIAERC.com tomorrow (Monday) to find out who’s included in the ERC Drive of Year poll. The winners of all four fan votes will be announced during the ERC Awards night in Poland on 14 October.

Japan
Starts: Thursday, November 21, 2024 at 12:00:00 AM
Poland
Starts: Friday, October 11, 2024 at 9:30:00 AM
Turkey
Starts: Saturday, November 9, 2024 at 9:00:00 AM