Drama and excitement have come thick and fast throughout the opening loop of three stages on this year’s Croatia Rally, the deciding round of the 2025 FIA European Rally Championship. Clear skies made tyre choice tricky, with rising temperatures adding to the challenge.
Poland’s championship leader Miko Marczyk started first on the road but could only manage fourth fastest on the opening Krašić–Sošice stage. Title rival Jon Armstrong set the pace, seizing an early lead ahead of Robert Virves and Mille Johansson.
Italy’s Andrea Mabellini suffered a damaged wheel early but recovered strongly. Others hit trouble: Jakub Matulka retired after sliding into a ditch, Erik Cais punctured, and Stéphane Sarrazin half-rolled.
Armstrong dominated Hartje–Stojdraga stage, extending his lead to 13.6s. Mabellini bounced back with second place, while Marczyk struggled for confidence on soft tyres. Austria’s Simon Wagner went off but continued after his car was righted.
The final morning test at Breganica–Smerovišće saw Armstrong again fastest, completing a clean sweep and reaching service in Zagreb with a 22.5s lead. Virves dropped time with a puncture, allowing Mads Østberg to climb to third on his 300th rally start. Mabellini moved to fifth, just behind Johansson, while Marczyk slipped to seventh after overshoots.
The top 10 is rounded out by Romet Jurgenson, Norbert Maior, Norbert Herczig, and Japan’s Yuki Yamamoto.
All of the crews will return to Zagreb to complete the service at Westgate City before they go back and run the same stages for a second time in the afternoon loop.
