It heads the FIA European Rally Championship for Teams 45 points ahead of MRF Tyres Dealer Team with Pirelli-equipped BRC Racing Team firmly in the fight, just a point further back.

Team MRF Tyres comprises Simone Campedelli, Efrén Llarena and Mārtiṇš Sesks, who has scored the bulk of the squad’s points courtesy of wins in Poland and Latvia and third place on last week’s BAUHAUS Royal Rally of Scandinavia.

It moved in front of MRF Tyres Dealer Team after Llarena and Sesks finished second and fifth on Rally Islas Canarias in May and has edged clear since.

Following his podium in Sweden, Sesks said: “The team did a great job to improve the car throughout the weekend. I could really rely on the MRF Tyres and push, which allowed us to get this important podium and the Power Stage points. Thanks to everyone at MRF Tyres for these great tyres.”

The all-asphalt Rally di Roma Capitale forms round six of the ERC season from 28 – 30 July 2023.

FIA European Rally Championship for Teams explained

How points are scored in the FIA European Rally Championship for Teams has been changed for 2023 to make the system easier to understand.

Previously, the results of ERC and ERC4 entrants were considered according to the four- or two-wheel classification, which could lead to a team entering two Rally4 cars out-scoring a team entering one Rally2 car, even if that team achieved a better overall finishing position.

Under new rules for 2023, points are awarded to the top 15 overall eligible finishers, with the aim of providing more incentive for Rally2-equipped squads to enter the FIA European Rally Championship for Teams.

As previously, a maximum of three cars can be registered for the purpose of scoring Teams’ championship points. However, a registered team entering more than three cars must nominate its scoring drivers prior to the completion of the administrative checking procedure. If no declaration is made, the team in question will not be eligible for points.