The dust is about to fly. The FIA European Rally Championship (ERC) switches surfaces and switches gears as Rally Hungary, round two of the 2025 season, sets the stage for the first gravel showdown of the year—running 9–11 May near the city of Veszprém.
This marks the start of a punishing trio of loose-surface events, and Rally Hungary has earned a reputation for being one of the most demanding tests on the ERC calendar. Military roads, high-speed sections, tyre-shredding rock beds, and relentless heat—Hungary’s backcountry doesn’t play nice.
Tempestini returns as the marked man
Last year, Simone Tempestini conquered the chaos to claim his maiden ERC win in Veszprém. Now, the Romanian ace is back with Team MRF Tyres aiming for two on the trot—but he’s under no illusion about the difficulty ahead.
“There are sections that are open and fast, but also very bumpy and full of stones,” Tempestini said. “Then you hit soft-surface stages with surprises everywhere. The win was beautiful, but we want more—and we know it won’t come easy.”
Csomós: “A survival race”
Hungarian fan favourite Miklós Csomós, who claimed third last year, believes this year’s edition could be even more brutal.
“It’s running later in the season, so the heat will make it tougher,” he said. “This won’t be about raw pace—it’s about survival. There are 10 or 15 guys who could win, but the one who makes the fewest mistakes will take it.”
He’ll be joined by a stacked ERC1 entry list, featuring 28 Rally2 competitors and a who’s who of championship hopefuls.
Ones to watch
- Roope Korhonen – 2023 WRC3 champion, now in a Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 with Team MRF Tyres.
- Andrea Mabellini – Consistent threat in his Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 on Pirellis.
- Mads Østberg – Former WRC winner brings Citroën C3 Rally2 and years of experience.
- Miko Marczyk – Two-time Polish champion, rapid on both surfaces.
- Dominik Stříteský – Czech champ in fine form.
- Isak Reiersen – Sweden’s new rally prodigy.
- Jon Armstrong – British rally wizard with M-Sport Ford.
- Jakub Matulka – Rising Polish star with big potential.
And don’t forget Jos Verstappen—yes, that Verstappen. The ex-F1 racer and 1994 Hungarian GP podium finisher continues his ERC journey after topping the Master ERC standings in Spain last month.
Three-time Hungarian champ András Hadik adds more local firepower, while Norbert Maior and Max McRae—both past Junior ERC winners on Rally Hungary—make their Rally2 debuts.
ERC3, ERC4, and Junior battles heat up
Beyond ERC1, the entry lists are booming:
- ERC3 (Rally3) – Record 13 cars.
- ERC4 (Rally4 & Rally5) – 23 contenders.
- FIA Junior ERC – 21 of those ERC4 drivers eligible.
- ERC Fiesta Rally3 Trophy – Nine drivers chasing support incentives.
Previews for ERC3, ERC4, and Junior ERC will be available at FIAERC.com.
Route rundown: A military-grade challenge
The 2025 route is largely unchanged from last year, but don’t let that fool you—this is some of the roughest terrain in the championship.
- Friday, 9 May
- Hajmáskér Qualifying Stage (14:16)
- Királyszentistván Super Special (18:05)
- Saturday, 10 May
- Two loops of Hegyesd, Kislőtér, Várpalota
- Service at Veszprém Aréna
- Sunday, 11 May
- Two loops of Iszka, Tés, Nagylőtér
- Nagylőtér (15.54 km) is the Power Stage (17:05)
- Kislőtér is the longest at 25.70 km
Expect everything from wide-open blasts to tyre-wrecking bedrock and sharp crests that can send cars airborne—or out of contention.
“Rally Hungary is like a mini Safari,” said Jon Armstrong. “It’s rough, fast, and relentless. You’ve got jumps into dips, hard bedrock, and suspension-punishing roads. It’s the ultimate test.”