Two-time European champion Basso managed to hold off title contender and fellow Pirelli-shod Andrea Mabellini on the final stage to take the win by 3.7sec after 13 action packed stages in hot temperatures. The triumph follows previous victories at the asphalt event in 2019 and 2021 for Basso, who was voted the greatest ever ERC driver in a recent poll.
Mabellini boosted his title hopes with a first podium of the season. ERC championship leader Miko Marczyk lost out to Mabellini on the penultimate stage and had to settle for third [+7.4sec], driving his Michelin-equipped Škoda Fabia RS Rally2.
After setting a time to tie for 10th on Friday’s super special in the centre of Rome – in front of the famous Colosseum – Basso quickly rose up the leaderboard on Saturday. The Italian became locked in an intense battle for victory with compatriot and two-time event winner Andrea Crugnola.
The gap between the two never exceeded five seconds across Saturday as Crugnola took a 3.3sec lead into Sunday, after posting an impressive fastest time on SS6 Torre di Cicerone 2 – 34.57 km.
Basso continued to apply pressure on Sunday morning to whittle the Citroën C3 Rally2 driver’s lead down to 2.7sec after SS8, before snatching the rally lead by 0.2sec after winning SS9 Canterano – Subiaco 1 – 30.59 km.
However, Crugnola fought back and reclaimed the lead by 2.5sec after SS10 before his victory hopes were dashed heading into the final three stages. Crugnola was two minutes late coming out of a regroup, incurring a 20sec penalty which handed Basso a 9.5sec lead over Marczyk, while Crugnola dropped to fifth.
Mabellini kickstarted his ERC title bid with first podium of 2025
© ERC
Basso then headed into the final stage with a 5.1sec margin over Mabellini, who leapt ahead of Marczyk into second after winning SS13. Basso held his nerve to hang on to take an impressive win and the Master ERC victory.
An emotional Mabellini was delighted to end a strong drive with a much needed podium as he moved to second in the championship, 22 points behind Marczyk
“It is great. I promised to the family of [the late Junior ERC driver] Matteo [Doretto] that I will give my maximum and this is for him. We lost him too early. I know I’m sentimental but Italians are like this and we are really happy to be Italian. This is great for us as we had a great run and we were close to the fight for the win, and this is thanks to everybody that is behind us. This is really important,” said Mabellini.
Marczyk claimed a thoroughly deserved podium having grabbed the headlines on Saturday thanks to fastest times on SS2 and SS3, which helped the Polish driver into an early rally lead, before an overshoot on SS4 halted his charge. Marczyk ended the rally on a high by winning the Power Stage by 0.1sec from Roberto Dapra.
“I’m proud. I should thank my partners and my engineers and for Škoda Motorsport for a reliable and fast car. Here it is easy not to be in the setup window and then it is really tough to fight for the good position,” said Marczyk.
WRC2 Sardegna winner Roberto Dapra delivered a strong showing throughout to finish fourth. Two stages wins on Saturday afternoon helped the young Italian charge up the leaderboard having sat in eighth position at midday service.
Crugnola came home in fifth after his time penalty, while fellow Italian Simone Campedelli enjoyed a strong Sunday, including wins on both passes through Guarcino – Altipiani, to climb to sixth.
Marczyk continues to lead the title race after impressive podium result
© ERC
Efrén Llarena was among those that climbed the leaderboard on Sunday as the 2022 ERC champion continued to gel with his new Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 to finish seventh.
For Østberg, simply starting Rally di Roma Capitale represented a significant achievement after a crash on last year’s event left his then co-driver Patrik Barth with injuries that ultimately forced his retirement from competing. The Norwegian found himself locked in a fight for a podium on Saturday. Balance struggles with his Citroën C3 Rally2 halted progress on Sunday as Østberg claimed eighth, ahead of Friday pacesetter Boštjan Avbelj and Czech champion Dominik Stříteský.
M-Sport-Ford World Rally Team’s Jon Armstrong battled set up issues for the majority of the rally but was able to recover to 11th, ahead of Norbert Herczig, Marco Signor, Roberto Blach and top Hankook runner Mille Johansson, who completed the top 15.
ERC Staff House Rally Hungary winner Roope Korhonen retired from his first start for Team MRF Tyres on asphalt in SS12. Max McRae (roll), Simon Wagner (mechanical) Jakub Matulka (roll) were non-starters on Sunday following their retirements on leg one. Simone Tempestini exited the rally from 11th on Sunday after an impact damaged his Škoda’s radiator on SS8.
Tymek Abramowski won the FIA ERC3 class from Hubert Kowalczyk, with Casey Jay Coleman in third. Opel Corsa-driving Calle Carlberg took the FIA ERC4 and FIA Junior ERC win from Jaspar Vaher (Lancia Ypsilon Rally4 HF) as Ireland’s Craig Rahill finished third (Peugeot 208 Rally4).
The championship heads to Barum Czech Rally Zlín for round six from 15-17 August.