The chase for 2025 FIA European Rally Championship success ignites in Spain this week (3 - 6 April) when the 72nd ERC season begins with the 42nd Rally Sierra Morena - Córdoba Patrimonio de la Humanidad.

Based in the picturesque city of Córdoba, this ERC newcomer is as exciting as it is highly anticipated and boasts an entry list rich in quality and quantity.

Sixty-four crews are set to battle for ERC points across 13 fast-paced Tarmac stages between Friday and Sunday live on the Rally.tv platform.

They include a sky-high 29 crews in headlining Rally2 cars from Citroën, Ford (M-Sport), Hyundai, Škoda and Toyota, 11 ERC3 entries, 24 in ERC4, 22 in Junior ERC, plus five in the all-new FIA Master ERC Championship with ex-Formula One racer Jos Verstappen among them. To underline the ERC’s international appeal, 23 nationalities are represented.

Eight ERC event winners, including former champions Efrén Llarena and Sara Fernández, who top the entry list, the third-placed crew from last year, Miko Marczyk and Szymon Gospodarczyk, and Andrea Mabellini and Virginia Lenzi, who scored a breakthrough victory on the 2024 ERC season decider.

“We have a big opportunity ahead, but we must keep focused,” said 25-year-old Italian Mabellini. “We know many, many drivers who are very fast so we must make the best we can for all eight rounds. If we can do this, the end can be great for us.”

Pole Marczyk, 29, said: “After finishing third last season, we are highly motivated and full of optimism. We approach this season with confidence and a positive attitude. Our goal is to start strong and compete at full speed from the very first rally.”

Spaniard Llarena is not only driving in the ERC this season, he’s also running his own team. “I really love the sport and I want this team to be my future,” said the 29-year-old.” I am doing this team for me but any customer will have the full, full focus in trying to win.”

Rally Sierra Morena - Córdoba Patrimonio de la Humanidad is one of five all-asphalt events on this season’s ERC calendar, which also includes three rallies on gravel.

Big chance to Junior ERC champion Johansson
Mille Johansson steps up to the headlining ERC1 category this season after landing an ERC4/Junior ERC title double in 2024. Co-driven by fellow Swede Johan Grönvall, the 19-year-oldl is set to contest six ERC rounds this season alongside his FIA Junior WRC Championship prize drive.

Rally Sierra Morena route in short
A spectacular super special stage in central Córdoba gets the 2025 ERC season under way from 20:05 local time on Friday. Saturday’s leg consists of three stages run either side of a service halt. They include Villaviciosa, the rally’s longest stage at 27.19 kilometres. Sunday’s route follows a similar format with two loops of three stages. The event will be decided on the Ermitas-Trassiera Power Stage from 17:05 local time, the ERC’s 25th Power Stage.

How to watch?
Fans across the globe can experience the excitement and drama of the ERC with every stage of every rally broadcast Rally.tv platform. In addition, the ERC is broadcast in a number of countries around the world and fans are advised to check local listings for details.

Rally Sierra Morena 2025: the key numbers
Stages: 13
Competitive distance: 209.96 kilometres
Total distance: 664.04 kilometres