Team MRF Tyres secured the 2026 European Rally Championship (ERC) teams' crown after drivers Martins Sesks and co-driver Renars Francis triumphed at the final round of the season in Portugal. This achievement delivers the Indian manufacturer its fourth ERC title, following previous championship wins in the years 2022, 2023, and 2025.
Championship Journey And Final Round Drama
Following its achievements in the Asia Pacific Rally Championship, MRF Tyres entered the ERC in 2020. The company utilized the championship—which spans diverse terrains, weather conditions, mechanical loads, and driving environments—as a valuable development platform to discover performance deficiencies and improve tyre constructions. In 2022, the company made history as the initial Indian manufacturer to claim a top-level European rallying title, and has now gathered three additional ERC championships.
For the closing event, the organization deployed a total of six crews representing both its primary squad and the MRF Tyres Dealers team. Sesks, who additionally participates in the World Rally Championship, secured the win following late misfortune for fellow teammate Roope Korhonen. Sesks maintained a 10.5 second advantage ahead of Korhonen following the opening leg, but his Skoda Fabia RS Rally 2 encountered a damper failure, dropping him 10.6 seconds behind his Finnish competitor with only three stages remaining.
Victory Secured Through Late Twists
The competition introduced another dramatic turn near the finish when Korhonen’s Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 malfunctioned by slipping into a two-wheel drive configuration, enabling Sesks to capture the win. Sesks noted that the team put in extensive effort, acknowledging that the day was difficult for both himself and Korhonen due to respective technical difficulties. He mentioned that the high speed maintained across both days demanded intense pushing, where the first day required maximum commitment and the second focused on tactical management, ultimately paying off through a safe approach and expressions of gratitude toward MRF Tyres.
The triumph by Sesks elevated MRF Tyres to an overall total of 233 points, securing the teams' championship with a 98-point margin over the second-placed Racing Factory Motorsport Solutions squad.
- MRF wins teams’ title with an advantage of 98 points
- Martins Sesks wins season finale in Portugal
- Total of six crews fielded across parent and dealer teams for the final round
Significance For Motorsport Development
Participation in grueling international rally circuits provides the tyre maker with critical engineering insights. By testing compounds across demanding European stages, the brand continues to refine its global product offerings while establishing a prominent competitive legacy for Indian automotive support in international motorsport.