Junior ERC
Dei Ceci and Doretto Junior ERC bound as ACI aims to “build talents”
Francesco Dei Ceci and Matteo Doretto will fly the ACI Team Italia flag when they make the move to the FIA Junior ERC Championship in 2025.
Doretto, 21, won the Italian Junior title in 2024 with three victories, and finished four and a half points ahead of his compatriot Dei Ceci, 20, a two-time winner.
For their step up to Hankook-equipped Junior ERC for 2025, Doretto will pilot a Peugeot 208 Rally4 run by MS Munaretto after driving a Renault Clio Rally5 to Italian Junior glory last season.
Dei Ceci will also be Peugeot-powered for his first Junior ERC bid, albeit driving for Delta Rally.
“I am thrilled to announce I will compete in FIA Junior ERC driving the Peugeot 208 Rally entered by Delta Rally and proudly wearing he colours of ACI Team Italia,” Dei Ceci posted on social media.
Andrea Budoia will co-drive Doretto with Dei Ceci competing alongside Nicolò Lazzarini. Doretto took top Italian Junior honours on Rally di Roma Capitale, Italy’s ERC counter last July, one place ahead of Dei Ceci.
Francesco Dei Ceci
© ERC
They will follow in the wheel tracks of several young Italian drivers who have impressed in Junior ERC, such as Fabio Andolfi, Andrea Crugnola, Roberto Daprà, Andrea Mabellini, Tamara Molinaro, Davide Pesavento, Mattia Vita and Mattia Zanin.
ACI Team Italia provides support and expert training and guidance to a select group of young Italian drivers competing at national and international level. Daprà, the 2023 ERC4 champion and Junior ERC runner-up is also part of the programme, which pledges to “build talents”.
The 42nd Rally Sierra Morena - Córdoba Patrimonio de la Humanidad in Spain hosts round one of the six-event Junior ERC season from 3 - 6 April.
