Lancia Corse HF Heads to Rally Poland with Junior ERC Title Contenders
Davide Pesavento and Alessio Angeli arrive in Poland second in Junior ERC standings, two points behind the leader, after their breakthrough victory at Rally di Roma Capitale.
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- 187.6 km
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What Happened
Lancia Corse HF heads to the fourth round of the FIA European Rally Championship determined to build on the momentum from Rally di Roma Capitale, where Davide Pesavento and Alessio Angeli claimed their maiden Junior ERC victory. The brand continues to combine success at the highest level with a long-term commitment to nurturing emerging talent. No fewer than seven Lancia Ypsilon Rally4 HF entries will contest the ERC4 and Junior ERC categories in Poland, reinforcing the success of a programme that is one of the most effective driver development platforms in European rallying.
7Ypsilon Rally4 HF cars
Contesting ERC4 and Junior ERC categories
- Leader by 3 points
- 3 points behind leader
- 3 points behind leader
Rally Poland undergoes a historic transformation for 2026, returning to asphalt for the first time since 2005 after more than two decades on gravel. The championship moves to the Silesia region in southern Poland, introducing a completely redesigned route that promises to reward precision and adaptability. One distinctive section is the gravel stretch within the Ochaby special stage, known as 'The Swamp', where marshland creates unique demands for maximum precision.
Ceremonial start in Katowice followed by a 2.2 km super special stage through the city streets
7 special stages covering 96 competitive kilometres
7 special stages covering 89.4 competitive kilometres, total 187.6 km across 15 stages
In the top Rally2 category, Andrea Mabellini and Virginia Lenzi continue to spearhead Lancia Corse HF's official FIA European Rally Championship campaign, currently sitting third in the overall standings. Francesco Dei Ceci, paired for the first time with co-driver Daiana Darderi, targets a strong comeback after a challenging start to the season. Lancia Corse HF's programme continues to demonstrate the strength built around performance, innovation and the development of future champions.
Previously from Lancia
At the previous round, Rally di Roma Capitale, Davide Pesavento and Alessio Angeli won both Junior ERC and ERC4 in a Lancia Ypsilon Rally4 HF, showcasing the brand's driver development program. Lancia entered 37 Ypsilon rally cars at that event, nearly one third of the entry list, as part of a structured talent pathway.
- Davide Pesavento and Alessio Angeli win Junior ERC and ERC4 at Rally di Roma Capitale in Lancia Ypsilon Rally4 HF
- Lancia Enters 37 Ypsilons in Rally di Roma Capitale, Showcases Talent Pathway
Background drawn from MotorClaw's earlier coverage of Lancia's official releases.
Why this matters
This rally is crucial for Lancia's young driver program as Pesavento and Angeli aim for the Junior ERC title, while Tommaso Sandrin leads the ERC4 championship. The event also marks Rally Poland's return to asphalt after 21 years, presenting a unique challenge that could shake up the standings.
Terms in This Story
- ERC
- European Rally Championship, a top-level rally series organized by the FIA.
- Junior ERC
- A category within the ERC for drivers under 27 years old.
- ERC4
- A class within the ERC for smaller, less powerful rally cars.
- FIA
- Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile, the governing body for world motorsport.
Summarised from the linked release; details can be imperfect — always verify against the original source.