Teemu Suninen has been crowned the 2025 European Rally Champion after finishing second in Wales and winning the rally-ending Power Stage. This is Suninen's first European title and also a maiden crown for co-driver Antti Haapala.
The title was confirmed when his closest challenger, Italy's Andrea Mabellini, finished sixth and failed to score Power Stage points. Finland celebrated a double as Ville Vatanen secured the ERC3 title.
"It's an incredible feeling! On Wednesday, I wouldn't have believed we could achieve this because I was quite ill. I've learnt so much. The conditions here are really difficult and you simply have to learn how to deal with them," Suninen said. "It has been a great season for us. I think we've also done a good job on asphalt," he added.
Suninen began the season with fourth place in Andalusia, then finished second on asphalt in Rome and won in Poland. He also reached the podium in the Czech event, while his only retirement came in Sweden.
Veteran Kris Meeke, 47, powered to victory in the rally, beating Suninen by 38.6 seconds. "A fantastic weekend! A huge thank you to everyone who brought me here. It's a pleasure to drive when the whole package is working," Meeke said.
Poland's Miko Marczyk finished third in Wales, ahead of Max McRae. Meirion Evans took fifth ahead of Mabellini and Erik Cais.
Ville Vatanen's superb season continued as the 19-year-old prospect clinched the ERC3 title after winning in Wales by a narrow 1.6-second margin over Casey Coleman. "This is incredible. I don't know what to say. A huge thank you to the team for the whole season. They did a fantastic job," Vatanen said. The ERC season finale in Portugal is scheduled for 23–25 October.
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