The 2025 Croatia Rally, the decisive finale of the FIA European Rally Championship, began with a demanding 6.12 km Qualifying Stage on slippery asphalt roads near Zagreb. The challenging conditions immediately set the tone for an intense weekend of competition.

Championship leader Miko Marczyk delivered the fastest run in his Škoda Fabia RS Rally2, clocking 3m55.9s to secure the all-important first road position for Saturday’s stages.

Close behind, Mads Østberg — marking his 300th career start — impressed with second place, just 0.8s adrift. Reigning Polish champion Jakub Matulka secured third, while Robert Virves and Jon Armstrong rounded out the top five.

Meanwhile, Marczyk’s closest rival in the title fight, Andrea Mabellini, suffered a setback after running wide on the opening corner and had to settle for eighth place, losing valuable ground in the championship battle.

There was also history made off the stage: Martin Vlček became the first-ever Master ERC Champion, marking a milestone achievement in the series.

Fans can now look forward to tonight’s Ceremonial Start at 18:30 at the INA headquarters in Zagreb, preceded by the popular Meet the Crews session at 17:50.

Crews’ preparations for ERC Croatia Rally 2025 are entering the decisive stage as anticipation builds for one of the highlight rounds of the FIA European Rally Championship.

After completing reconnaissance of the qualifying stage and shakedown on Thursday, drivers returned to the roads early Friday morning to continue familiarizing themselves with the rally itinerary. From 09:00 to 16:00, reconnaissance was scheduled for the stages Krašić – Sošice, Hartje – Stojdraga and Breganica – Smerovišće, while in the afternoon (14:00–19:00) crews noted the legendary routes of Veliko Trgovišće – Klanjec and Zagorska Sela – Kumrovec.

Tomorrow’s competitive programme opens with Free Practice at 09:30 near Kupljenovo, followed by the Qualifying Stage at 11:16 and the Shakedown at 12:45, setting the stage for a thrilling weekend of rally action. Fans can access stage locations through the Spectators section on the official website, with both Google and PDF maps available to ensure safe and easy viewing.

Ceremonial Start in Zagreb

After the on-road preparations, the action shifts to the Croatian capital for the Ceremonial Start of ERC Croatia Rally 2025. The opening event will take place in front of the INA headquarters, at the intersection of Većeslav Holjevac Avenue and Dubrovnik Avenue – a traditional hotspot for rally fans.

Before the start, from 17:50 to 18:20, spectators will enjoy a special “Meet the Crews” session, offering the chance to get close to Europe’s and Croatia’s top rally drivers. Among the stars present are Martin and Dora Ravenščak, Jan Pokos, Calle Carlberg, Ioan Lloyd, Tymek Abramowski, Hubert Kowalczyk, Miko Marczyk, Andrea Mabellini and Jon Armstrong – all key contenders for the 2025 European championship title.

At 18:30, the Ceremonial Start begins, with crews crossing the start ramp in order from the highest to lowest competition numbers. Leading the way will be national championship drivers (MZPH and Croatian Championship), including WRC star Adrien Fourmaux with co-driver Alex Coria. They will be followed by ERC entrants battling for valuable points in the FIA European Rally Championship.

The streets of Zagreb are set to host a true motorsport spectacle – the perfect prelude to a weekend filled with speed, adrenaline, and top-level rally competition.