New Zealand rally duo Haydon Paddon and John Kennard have once again made history by becoming the first non-European crew to secure multiple FIA European Rally Championship (ERC) titles. Their third-place finish at Rally Silesia was enough to clinch their second consecutive championship title, a feat not seen since 2017. Despite leading for much of the rally, the pair adopted a cautious approach in the final stages, ensuring their place in the ERC record books.
Paddon and Kennard had held the lead since stage two, but tricky damp and wet conditions in the final stages saw them take a more conservative strategy in their Hyundai i20 N. This allowed Italian driver Andrea Mabellini and co-driver Virginia Lenzi to take the lead on stage 11, ultimately securing Mabellini’s maiden FIA ERC victory in his Skoda Fabia. Mabellini’s triumph also made him the eighth different winner in the eight-round championship, highlighting the fierce competition throughout the season.
Meanwhile, title rival Mathieu Franceschi, along with co-driver Andy Malfoy, struggled on Saturday, losing valuable time that relegated them to fifth overall. Franceschi finished second in the title race, unable to mount a strong enough challenge to overthrow Paddon’s dominant campaign.
Jon Armstrong and Eoin Treacy took advantage of Paddon’s conservative approach, securing second place on the final stage in their M-Sport Ford Fiesta. Armstrong’s remarkable performance, winning seven of the 14 stages—including five of Sunday’s six stages—earned him his first-ever FIA ERC podium, a fitting reward for his best showing to date.
Poland’s top crew, Miko Marczyk and Szymon Gospodarczyk, brought their Skoda home in fourth place, while Franceschi and Yoann Bonato’s Citroën C3 rounded out the top five.
The victory in Rally Silesia and the successful defense of their ERC title solidify Paddon and Kennard’s status as one of the most formidable teams in the championship’s history. Their disciplined and tactical performance throughout the season showcased their skill and determination to once again reign supreme on the European rally stage.
