Pirelli double podium at the Barum Rally. Suninen second, Mabellini claims third place on the Power Stage

Pirelli claimed second and third places at the Barum Czech Rally Zlín, round five of the FIA European Rally Championship. Teemu Suninen took his Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 to the runner-up spot after staying on the attack throughout the final day.

Andrea Mabellini produced a thrilling finish. Having opened the rally by winning the Zlín city super special, the Italian ended the weekend by also claiming victory on the Power Stage. By doing so, he made up the deficit to his direct rival in the title fight and took the Lancia Ypsilon Rally2 HF Integrale onto the third step of the podium.

The result consolidates Suninen and Mabellini’s positions at the top of the drivers’ standings and strengthens Pirelli’s lead in the tyre suppliers’ classification.

“The Barum subjected tyres and cars to a particularly severe test, with 13 special stages and more than 200 competitive kilometres tackled on demanding surfaces and in unusually high temperatures,” commented Terenzio Testoni, Pirelli Rally Activity Manager. “The hard compound, selected as the primary option for the weekend, delivered consistent performance and reliability through to the final stage. These results confirm the competitiveness of our product and allow us to approach the closing phase of the championship from an even stronger position.”

The Barum Czech Rally Zlín also decided the Pirelli-supported ERC Fiesta Rally3 Trophy title. Ville Vatanen claimed the crown after also winning the Trophy classification at the rally.