ERC
Mabellini to learn from Paddon lessons in ERC
Andrea Mabellini says he will follow Hayden Paddon’s lead when he goes for FIA European Rally Championship title glory in 2025.
Paddon claimed back-to-back ERC titles thanks, in part, to his consistency behind the wheel.
Having signed up for a second full season at Rally2 level after a partial programme in 2023, Mabellini is determined to emulate the New Zealander and take advantage of the “big opportunity” he has secured with The Racing Factory.
“I’m very happy to be doing the entire season,” said Mabellini, who will be co-driven by Virginia Lenzi. “We have a big opportunity ahead, but we must keep focused. We know how it works in the European championship with many, many drivers who are very fast but don’t do all the rounds. So we must make the best we can for all eight rounds like Paddon teach us last year. If we can do this, the end can be great for us.”
We have a big opportunity ahead, but we must keep focused
Mabellini heads into 2025 on a high after he claimed a breakthrough ERC victory with Team MRF Tyres on the 2024 season-deciding Rally Silesia.
While he’ll continue to drive a Škoda Fabia RS Rally2, he’ll do so on Pirelli tyres following his switch to Aloísio Monteiro’s Portugal-based The Racing Factory.
The Racing Factory will run Mabellini's Škoda Fabia RS Rally2
© Andrea Mabellini
“It’s going to be something different this season and something you are not used to seeing because you will see Pirelli tyres on my car, so a big change,” Mabellini said. “It’s also a different team but the same type of car. It’s what we were searching for and it’s thanks to The Racing Factory that this can happen. I really must thank Aloísio because he decided I am good for his programme and that’s something that makes me and Virgi really proud for what we have made during the years.
“We started from the Abarth 124 Rally Cup, then Rally5, Rally4, Rally2 twice for MRF in the Škoda and finally we have this opportunity. And I don’t have to learn the car and also the bonus programme from Škoda will be crucial for the support for the rest of the season.”
Having contested myriad events in his native Italy alongside his ERC campaigns in recent seasons, Mabellini is planning to make the European championship his sole focus in 2025.
Virginia Lenzi will continue to co-drive Mabellini
© Andrea Mabellini
“We focus on the ERC and it’s going to be prepared as it must be,” said the 25-year-old. “For sure last year we were running two championships so more mileage on the car and the tyres and also for me and Virgi. This year it’s like this but we have gained a big opportunity.”
Mabellini’s message to MRF Tyres
Having been given his big break in the ERC by Team MRF Tyres, Andrea Mabellini has been quick to acknowledge the support of the Indian manufacturer and the role it has performed in helping him to progress his career.
Andrea Mabellini at FIA European Rally Championship 2024
© @World / Red Bull Content Pool
“After two years of intense collaboration, we would like to express our sincere thanks to MRF Tyres for the support and trust shown during this experience,” Mabellini said. “It has been a journey full of challenges and satisfactions, during which we had the opportunity to contribute to the development of tyres, tackling some of the most demanding races in the European rally scene.
“Working alongside a constantly evolving company like MRF Tyres has been a great honour. Their commitment to research and development has led to significant progress, and we are sure that their growth path will continue with great successes in the world of rallying.
“A special thanks to Vivek Ponnusamy. Without his support we would never have been able to take part in the ERC with a top-class car. He believed in us from the beginning, supporting us financially and personally. It will always be a pleasure to see him again and have a chat with him.
“We wish the entire MRF Tyres team and their manager Vivek the best for the future and we are sure that their commitment will lead to increasingly prestigious results.”
The 42nd Rally Sierra Morena - Córdoba Patrimonio de la Humanidad opens the 72nd ERC season from 3 - 6 April.
