The 2025 FIA European Rally Championship (ERC) is set to begin in explosive fashion in Spain from April 3 to 6 with the 42nd Rally Sierra Morena – Córdoba Patrimonio de la Humanidad, marking the commencement of the 72nd ERC season, reported FIAERC.com this week.
Located in the stunning city of Córdoba, the event is a new addition to the ERC calendar and is eagerly anticipated by fans and competitors alike. The rally boasts an impressive entry list, featuring 64 teams ready to vie for ERC points across 13 exhilarating Tarmac stages, broadcast live on the Rally.tv platform.
This year’s line-up is particularly strong, with 29 teams competing in top-tier Rally2 cars from well-known manufacturers such as Citroën, Ford (M-Sport), Hyundai, Škoda, and Toyota. The field also includes 11 entries in ERC3, 24 in ERC4, 22 in Junior ERC, and an exciting new category, the FIA Master ERC Championship, featuring former Formula One driver Jos Verstappen. Highlighting the ERC’s global appeal, drivers from 23 different nationalities will take part.
Several ERC champions and event winners are returning, including Efrén Llarena and Sara Fernández, who lead the entry list. Other notable competitors include last year’s third-place finishers Miko Marczyk and Szymon Gospodarczyk, as well as Andrea Mabellini and Virginia Lenzi, who achieved their first ERC victory in the final round of the 2024 season.
Andrea Mabellini, 25, from Italy, emphasized the importance of consistent performance throughout the season. “We know the competition is fierce, with many fast drivers. Our goal is to perform our best across all eight rounds,” Mabellini shared.
Miko Marczyk, 29, from Poland, is optimistic about improving on last year’s success. “We are entering this season filled with motivation and optimism. Our aim is to hit the ground running and compete at the highest level right from the start,” he said.
Efrén Llarena, besides competing, is also managing his own team this season. “I love this sport deeply and see my team as the future. We are fully committed to striving for victory,” the 29-year-old Spaniard commented.
The Rally Sierra Morena, one of five all-asphalt events this season, will also feature three gravel rallies. The 2025 season introduces a chance for 2024 Junior ERC champion Mille Johansson, who steps up to the premier ERC1 category. The 19-year-old Swede, co-driven by Johan Grönvall, will compete in six ERC rounds in addition to his FIA Junior WRC Championship drive.
The rally kicks off with a super special stage in central Córdoba at 20:05 local time on Friday. Saturday features three stages around a service break, including the rally’s longest stage, Villaviciosa, at 27.19 kilometres. Sunday follows a similar pattern with two loops of three stages, culminating in the Ermitas-Trassiera Power Stage at 17:05 local time.
Iain Campbell, the ERC championship manager, praised the challenging nature of the rally. “The abrasive, high-grip surface presents a tough challenge for the tyres, while the drivers and co-drivers will be tested by the intricate corners and elevation changes,” he noted.
Fans worldwide can follow the intense action and drama of every stage of the ERC on the Rally.tv platform. Additionally, the championship will be broadcast internationally, with viewers encouraged to check their local listings for broadcast details.
This year’s Rally Sierra Morena promises to be a thrilling opener for the 2025 ERC season, featuring a blend of seasoned champions and promising new talents, all set against the backdrop of Córdoba’s breathtaking scenery and passionate rally fans.
In Numbers
Stages: 13
Competitive distance: 209.96 kilometres
Total distance: 664.04 kilometres