The 81st running of the ERC ORLEN OIL Rally Poland, held from 13–15 June 2025, delivered a showcase of high-speed gravel rallying, tactical nuance, and shifting fortunes. As round four of the FIA European Rally Championship, the event was a critical battleground for teams and drivers, with Team MRF Tyres and Mārtiņš Sesks ultimately emerging as the dominant force. For an educated audience, the event’s nuances—ranging from tyre strategy to stage management and key incidents—offer a compelling study in modern rally tactics and team execution.
The Polish Challenge: Fast Gravel and Unforgiving Margins
Rally Poland’s reputation is built on its superfast gravel stages in the Masurian Lake District, where speeds often exceed 120 km/h and the surface evolves rapidly with each passing car. The 2025 route featured 14 special stages totalling 190.40 competitive kilometres, including several sections never previously used, demanding both adaptability and precision from crews
The event’s tactical complexity is heightened by the sandy, rutted roads, which deteriorate quickly and punish mistakes. As Mārtiņš Sesks, the eventual winner, remarked:
“It shows the car, the team, the tyres, we’re all ready to fight… Everyone wants to make a statement but in our minds we want to keep our heads down and just do our work”
Tyre Tactics: The MRF Tyres Advantage
Tyre management was central to the 2025 Rally Poland. Each crew was limited to just 16 tyres for the rally, including those used in qualifying, making every choice critical. The abrasive surface and changing grip levels forced teams to weigh the risks of aggressive compound selection against the need for durability.
Team MRF Tyres’ technical director explained:
“On these fast and narrow roads, grip and confidence are everything. Our focus was on providing a tyre that could handle both the speed and the roughness, and the results speak for themselves.”
Sesks, driving a Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 on MRF Tyres, was effusive in his praise:
“The MRF Tyres were just fantastic through the rally and gave me the confidence to push throughout! I am thrilled to take my second win in the FIA ERC and I would like to thank the team and everyone back in India for making this happen. Rally Poland was something special and I am looking forward to getting back to Latvia for the next round”
Key Incidents and Tactical Turning Points
Early Drama and Attrition
The rally’s opening stages saw immediate drama. Local hero Miko Marczyk thrilled fans with the fastest time on the Mikolajki Super Special, but the event quickly turned challenging for several contenders. Grzegorz Grzyb rolled his car on Saturday morning, ending his charge prematurely, while other hopefuls like Andrea Mabellini and Stefan Lefebvre also fell victim to the demanding roads67.
Championship Leader’s Exit
The most significant incident came on the final day when Team MRF Tyres’ Roope Korhonen, the championship leader, rolled at high speed. Although the crew was unharmed, the crash ended his rally and dealt a blow to his championship bid56.
“It was, of course, a serious blow to his potential championship bid,” noted ERC commentators, underlining the high stakes and the unforgiving nature of the event.
Armstrong’s Penalty and Marczyk’s Ascent
Irishman Jon Armstrong, who had shown strong pace all season, was closing on second place after setting the fastest time on Stage 10. However, a 10-second penalty for taking the wrong line through a chicane dropped him behind Marczyk, who seized the opportunity to finish second and take the championship lead on home soil.
The Tactical Battle: Adaptation and Risk Management
Rally Poland’s evolving surface meant that road position played a critical role. Early starters benefited from a cleaner line, but as the ruts deepened, drivers had to adapt their lines and setups. Suspension settings, tyre pressures, and even driving style were adjusted stage by stage.
Isac Reeson, a young Scandinavian who finished fourth, described the challenge:
“You must read the road and adapt your lines. It’s about finding the balance between pushing and surviving”
Team MRF Tyres’ approach was to prioritise consistency and resilience, as highlighted by their technical staff:
“Our tyres had to contend with rocks being drawn onto the line, and the MRF Tyres stood the test of toughness that was demanded throughout the rally.”
The Podium: Dominance and Local Delight
Mārtiņš Sesks’ performance was a masterclass in tactical rallying. After surviving a minor off-road moment early on Sunday, he maintained composure and extended his lead, ultimately winning by over a minute—his second Poland victory and a dominant return to ERC action
“It feels so good to be driving for such a good team with such a good car. It’s a pleasure and to be able to perform at such a high level it’s really good,” Sesks reflected
Miko Marczyk’s second place delighted the home crowd and propelled him to the top of the championship standings, while Armstrong celebrated his first ERC podium on gravel, a reward for perseverance after a season of misfortune6.
Team MRF Tyres: A Statement of Intent
The rally was a showcase for Team MRF Tyres’ technical and tactical strength. Six MRF Tyres-equipped cars scored points, underlining the brand’s consistency and adaptability.
“Our tyres redefine what peak performance looks like, propelling drivers to victories on the challenging pedestal of Europe,” stated an MRF Tyres representative.
Conclusion: Lessons from the Masurian Gravel
The 2025 ERC Rally Poland was a study in the art of gravel rallying—where tyre strategy, road-reading, and tactical discipline are as decisive as outright speed. For Team MRF Tyres and Mārtiņš Sesks, it was a statement win built on technical excellence and collective focus. For the championship, the event reshuffled the standings and set the stage for a dramatic second half of the season.
In the words of Sesks:
“Doing it here in Poland is completely different, it shows the car, the team, the tyres, we’re all ready to fight”
As the ERC moves on, the lessons of Poland—adaptation, resilience, and the pursuit of marginal gains—will echo through every gravel stage to come.
