Think again if you thought all was now well as a European Rally Championship. In a thriller of a climax, MRF Tyres' Team Andrea Mabellini and Virginia Lenzi stormed into the final round, Rally Silesia in Poland, in what surely was going to be one of rallying's most dramatic finales ever. And it was not just the rally win-it was also the second overall championship, which defined their solidity as a thorn in the side of any competitor.
One was not to be missed: the Polish rally, where Mabellini and Lenzi came up against the very best European driving talent head-on. Beginning the final day five hundredths behind Hayden Paddon, they did wonderfully well then cleverly turned things around, and then it became a mix of talent, great strategy, and a bit of luck as they prised victory from Paddon's grasp.
The main reason Mabellini and Lenzi fared so well was thanks to their tire choice. As the weather on the final day of the competition was wet, it made sense for the team to settle for a combination of dry and wet tyresa masterstroke which proved correct since Mabellini was better than Paddon both ways and could take the victory.
After the race, Mabellini was joyful for the performance of his crew. "I'm extremely happy," he said. "We've worked hard together, and achieving this result brings immense satisfaction to all of us." He also spoke about praising his co-driver, Virginia Lenzi, while commending her for support and guidance.
Rally Silesia was a great end to a good season for Team MRF Tyres. Though they cannot retain the overall title, sitting at the second spot is highly commendable. The team, in their ability to remain at the highest level of rallying in Europe, is highly credited to their skills, dedication, and good equipment.
But it was not only Mabellini and Lenzi who impressed during the Polska Rally. The other driver for Team MRF Tyres, Amaury Molle, also did a decent job. He was coming off an injury, but proved that the gap is not widened; and that he can still be up there and fight for the podium. His consistent pace through the rally gave him a quite respectable finish.
The European Rally Championship is a pretty aggressive competition series in which new teams and drivers come in the fray every year. MRF Tyres team does make sure they have made a mark for themselves. Would be really interesting to see what they have in the sleeve for the future. All they need is Mabellini and Lenzi at the helm of affairs.
The curtain closes on the 2024 European Rally Championship season, which is a reflection on one dramatically twisted and action-packed campaign amidst truly unforgettable moments. To name just one, there is the win by Team MRF Tyres in Rally Silesia, a testament to the drivers' and crew's talent and determination.
“It’s been a weekend full of positives. I know it will take time to fully regain my rhythm and the confidence to push at 100%, but I felt a great connection with the car, and Alex and I did a good job, improving stage by stage. We made a small mistake on the final stage but that doesn’t change our outlook on the weekend’s result. Thanks to Team MRF Tyres for this opportunity; now we have the winter to prepare and focus on our 2025 season,” said Molle.
