ERC Portugal: Sesks wins finale, Suninen already champion
The newsroomUpdated on October 25, 20263 minERC in Portugal: Mārtiņš Sesks (Škoda) wins the 2026 finale after Korhonen's mechanical failure; Sarrazin (Lancia) is second, Suninen already champion.
Key point
Mārtiņš Sesks won the Rally 6 Cities North of Portugal, the 2026 ERC finale, after Roope Korhonen lost the lead with a drivetrain failure; Teemu Suninen was already champion.
Mārtiņš Sesks won the Rally 6 Cities North of Portugal, the final round of the 2026 FIA European Rally Championship (ERC), on 25 October. The Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 driver (MRF Tyres), with co-driver Renārs Francis, took his fifth European win after team-mate Roope Korhonen suffered a drivetrain failure. The drivers' title already belonged to Teemu Suninen.
Sesks fights back and pulls away
Sesks won qualifying and led the first leg from start to finish: on Saturday night he was 10.5 seconds ahead of Korhonen. On Sunday morning a damper problem left him 8.2 seconds behind the Toyota driver. On stage 14 Korhonen extended his advantage by 2.4 seconds, leading by 10.6 seconds with three stages to go.
Then everything changed: the rear differential on Korhonen's Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 failed and the car was left with two driven wheels. He lost the lead on stage 15 of 17. Sesks was able to pull clear and finished more than a minute ahead of his closest rival.
Sarrazin on the podium, Meeke out
Pablo Sarrazin (Lancia Ypsilon Rally2 HF Integrale, Michelin) took second, his first ERC podium. According to the FIA, he passed Korhonen on the Power Stage. Behind came Jan Solans (4th), Simone Tempestini (5th), Arthur Pelamourges (6th) and Armindo Araújo (7th, best Portuguese crew). Miko Marczyk was eighth. Kris Meeke crashed on stage 4 and did not restart on Sunday.
Titles and season recap
- Drivers: Teemu Suninen is champion, having clinched the title at Rali Ceredigion (Wales). Marczyk secured second place overall ahead of Andrea Mabellini, who retired in Portugal with a technical problem. Sesks finished fifth in the standings with maximum points in Portugal, having started only two events.
- Teams: MRF Tyres won its fourth European teams' title.
- Juniors: Timo Schulz (Opel Corsa Rally4) completed the ERC4 and Junior ERC double. He will contest the Junior WRC in 2027.
- ERC3: Rio Ogata won on his debut.
- National Match Rally: France, helped by the points of Sarrazin and Pelamourges, beat Portugal.
Key points
- Sesks wins the ERC finale in Portugal, his fifth European win.
- Korhonen lost the lead because of a broken rear differential.
- Sarrazin takes his first European podium.
- Suninen is 2026 champion and MRF Tyres wins the teams' title.
Frequently asked questions
Who won the 2026 Rally 6 Cities North of Portugal?
Mārtiņš Sesks, in a Škoda Fabia RS Rally2, for his fifth ERC win. Pablo Sarrazin was second.
Who is the 2026 European Rally champion?
Teemu Suninen, who clinched the title at Rali Ceredigion in Wales. He did not compete in the Portuguese finale.
What happened to Roope Korhonen?
His Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 lost its rear differential and was left with only two driven wheels, which cost him the lead.
Sources
Written by the Karrazmotorsport newsroom, proofread before publication. For settings, always refer to your vehicle's manual. Our charter.
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