Suninen seals maiden FIA ERC victory on high-speed Rally Poland
Teemu Suninen and co-driver Antti Haapala claimed their breakthrough FIA European Rally Championship (ERC) victory at the 82nd Rally Poland, steering their Pirelli-shod Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 to a 9.7-second win. The result extends Suninen’s lead at the top of the overall driver standings to 23 points, while reinforcing Pirelli’s position at the summit of the tyre manufacturers’ table.
Relocated to Katowice and returning to asphalt for the first time since 2004, the fast, bumpy, and low-grip Silesian stages demanded total precision. Suninen took command on Friday evening and held firm through Sunday’s seven-stage decider, managing his advantage over a hard-charging local contingent.
Home heroes Jakub Matulka and Daniel Dymurski pushed the Finn to the finish line, claiming second overall to secure a breakthrough ERC podium. Reigning European Champion Miko Marczyk finished just 3.8 seconds further back in third, completing an impressive display for Polish crews on home turf. Lancia’s Andrea Mabellini came home fourth, missing out on the podium by just 2.6 seconds despite setting the fastest time on the event-closing Power Stage.
In the supporting classes, Ville Vatanen took victory in both the ERC3 category and the M-Sport Fiesta Rally3 Trophy. Tom Heindrichs dominated the Junior ERC field in his Opel Corsa Rally4, while 19-year-old Adrian Rzeźnik claimed a career-best seventh overall to seal victory in the Polish Rally Championship classification.
The European Rally Championship continues next month at the Barum Czech Rally Zlín from August 14–16.
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