Scandinavian Rally: Brynildsen and the Toyota Yaris tame Swedish gravel with Pirelli Scorpion Tyres

Pirelli claimed its first win of the season in the FIA European Rally Championship (ERC) at the Scandinavian Rally, which concluded today in Karlstad, thanks to an outstanding performance by Norwegian driver Eyvind Brynildsen. Behind the wheel of his Toyota Yaris, Brynildsen seized the lead from the second special stage and never relinquished it. For the Milan-based company, today’s win adds to two previous victories in 2024 and 2023—the first two editions of the Scandinavian Rally as part of the ERC.

Italian driver Andrea Mabellini also delivered a strong performance in his Pirelli-equipped Škoda Fabia, finishing fourth in a race that lived up to expectations: fast-paced and treacherous due to the slippery gravel roads of the Swedish forests.

In the early stages, rain necessitated the use of the Scorpion K8B super soft, but the tyre that ultimately secured Brynildsen’s victory was the Scorpion K6A soft, the designated prime compound for this rally. Its proven performance and reliability on gravel, demonstrated in previous rallies, made the difference.

"Congratulations to Eyvind for his exceptional driving skills and the composure he showed in fending off his rivals in what remained a closely contested rally until the very end," commented Terenzio Testoni, Pirelli Rally Activity Manager. "We are extremely pleased with this first 2025 ERC win, which came only in the third event due to the misfortunes our drivers faced in earlier rallies—though we deserved it sooner. Now, our focus shifts to the upcoming events before the summer break: Poland and, above all, Rome, our home rally."