Following the all-asphalt Rally Silesia, Michelin took the coveted title by three points ahead of Pirelli, which out-scored Michelin for the second event running but took the runner-up spot in the final title order.
MRF celebrated a memorable first ERC win for Andrea Mabellini after the Italian, at the wheel of a Škoda Fabia RS Rally2, took the lead on the rain-affected final morning.
By finishing third in his Pirelli-equipped Hyundai i20 N Rally2, Hayden Paddon made it back-to-back ERC titles with his entrant, BRC Racing Team, winning the FIA European Rally Championship for Teams.
There was also success for Hankook, which scored a maiden victory in the FIA ERC3 category on Rally Silesia courtesy of Ford Fiesta Rally3-driving Swede Mille Johansson. Calle Carlberg bagged an FIA ERC4/FIA Junior ERC double in an Opel Corsa Rally4.
Tim Hoare, ERC Rally manager, Michelin Motorsport, commented: “We said from the start of the season that the FIA European Rally Championship for Tyre Suppliers changed the focus for us. Although selling tyres remained a priority, the ERC was no longer about taking part but about chasing results and winning this title is a great achievement and means we achieved our objectives.
“The ERC is the top arena in the world for tyre manufacturers to engage in open and direct competition. It offers such a variety of surfaces and weather conditions to allow us to really display the versatility and depth of our rally tyre range. The fact that all manufacturers had an overall win this year just shows how competitive the championship is, but it’s the range rather than a tyre suited to one particular event or surface that makes the difference and is why Michelin won this prestigious FIA ERC title.
“While we were very confident in the quality and performance of our tyres, it was clear we needed the right drivers on our tyres from the beginning and we were fortunate to have some very good drivers competing with our products this season.”
Mathieu Franceschi, who finished runner-up in the FIA European Rally Championship for Drivers, said: “I want to thank Michelin because with their tyres we could be competitive in all the races and I am happy they have won this award. Since the beginning of my career I run with Michelin so it’s good to help Michelin to win this title.”
The all-new FIA European Rally Championship for Tyre Suppliers was created for the 2024 season to give a further opportunity for the four registered manufacturers, Hankook, Michelin, MRF and Pirelli, to showcase their products on a variety of surfaces – and chase a coveted title – in the hugely competitive ERC.
FIA European Rally Championship for Tyre Suppliers after round 8/8 (provisional):
1 Michelin: 325 points
2 Pirelli: 322 points
3 MRF: 221 points
4 Hankook: 120 points
All results are subject to final FIA confirmation.
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