RALLY DI ROMA CAPITALE: PIRELLI FIELDS 34 CREWS FOR KEY ERC ROUND

REVISED ITALIAN TARMAC EVENT PRESENTS NEW CHALLENGES AS 34 PIRELLI-EQUIPPED CREWS PREPARE FOR ERC BATTLE

The Rally di Roma Capitale returns as one of the standout events of the 2026 FIA European Rally Championship, featuring a revised route that is expected to test both crews and tyre strategy across the Italian asphalt stages.

The rally, which also counts towards the Italian Absolute Rally Championship (CIAR Sparco), includes 11 special stages covering 197 competitive kilometres. This year's itinerary introduces several changes, combining demanding mountain roads, major elevation changes and frequent rhythm shifts.

Saturday's Vallecupola (SS2/SS5) and Piana di Rascino (SS3/SS6) stages are expected to play a decisive role. Piana di Rascino is the longest stage of the rally, featuring a mix of high-speed and technical sections, while Vallecupola demands precision on its narrow mountain roads with continuous changes in pace.

A total of 110 crews are entered for the event, with 34 of them competing on Pirelli tyres, highlighting the manufacturer's strong presence in one of the European Rally Championship's most prestigious asphalt rallies.

Among the leading Pirelli-equipped competitors are Teemu Suninen, Giandomenico Basso, Marco Bulacia and Roberto Daprà driving Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 cars. Alessandro Mabellini and Andrea Crugnola will compete in Lancia Ypsilon Rally4 HF machinery, while Simone Campedelli enters with a Toyota GR Yaris Rally2.

"This year's Rally di Roma Capitale is significantly different from previous editions. The new stages combine very fast sections with more technical stretches, featuring major elevation changes and constant variations in pace, making tyre choice and management even more crucial." — Terenzio Testoni, Pirelli Rally Activity Manager

"On paper, the hard compound looks set to be the reference choice, but our P Zero range gives teams all the options they need to adapt to the different characteristics of the stages. We arrive in Rome after a very positive start to the European Championship season, with several crews capable of fighting for the leading positions." — Terenzio Testoni

For the event, Pirelli will provide its P Zero asphalt tyre range in hard (RA5C) and soft (RA7+D) compounds, alongside the Cinturato RWD wet-weather tyre if rain affects the rally.

The company will also continue its support of the M-Sport Fiesta Rally3 Trophy, where it remains the exclusive tyre supplier. Trophy competitors will have access to hard (RA5B), medium (RA7B), soft (RA7+A) and wet-weather Cinturato RW1D tyres throughout the event.

Key Points

• Rally di Roma Capitale features a revised 2026 route with 11 stages and 197 competitive kilometres.

• Piana di Rascino and Vallecupola are expected to be two of the rally's decisive stages.

• A total of 110 crews are entered, including 34 competing on Pirelli tyres.

• Several leading ERC contenders will compete on Pirelli-equipped Rally2 and Rally4 cars.

• Pirelli will supply hard, soft and wet-weather tyre options throughout the event.

• Pirelli also remains the exclusive tyre supplier for the M-Sport Fiesta Rally3 Trophy.