TIME TO FIRE UP THE ENGINES FOR THE EUROPEAN RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP AND THE SIERRA MORENA RALLY. ALSO WITH PIRELLI, FORMER F1 DRIVER JOS VERSTAPPEN

This weekend, from 4 to 6 April in Andalusia, the winding tarmac roads of the Sierra Morena Rally are the setting for the opening round of the European FIA-ERC. 82 crews are on the entry list, of which over 60 will be competing for the first points of the season, as they aim to inherit the champion’s crown from Hayden Paddon. The New Zealander won back-to-back titles in 2023 and 2024, but has chosen not to defend the title this year.

For the event’s 13 special stages, totalling 209.9 timed kilometres, Pirelli, on its debut at this Andalusian rally, is supplying its crews with the P Zero tyres in hard, (RA5B), medium (RA7E) and soft (RA7+C). Apart from the dry weather tyres, the Cinturato RWC wet weather tyre is also available. Among the drivers racing on the P Zero tyres in Andalusia will be former F1 driver Jos Verstappen in a Skoda, Andrea Mabellini, also Skoda-mounted, Pepe Lopez driving a Hyundai and Jon Armstrong in a Ford. Jon is a talented youngster, who hails from the junior category, which Pirelli has always supported and invested in, as was the case with Paddon in the European Championship.

In addition, Pirelli will also play a key role as the sole supplier and technical partner to the ERC Fiesta Rally3 Trophy, now in its second season, with seven crews taking part in Rally Sierra Morena.