(13.06.2025) The ORLEN OIL 81st Rally Poland – round four of the FIA European Rally Championship and round three of the Polish national series – kicked off today with the qualifying stage on the 6.3-kilometre Baranowo test. Martins Sesks and Renars Francis, winners of the 2023 edition, set the benchmark time, confirming their status as pre-event favourites.
As per ERC regulations introduced in 2023, only crews driving top-tier Rally2 machinery were eligible to contest the qualifying stage. A total of 31 such entries feature on this year’s Rally Poland entry list – including multiple Polish champions like Grzyb and Marczyk, current ERC points leader Roope Korhonen, and international names with WRC experience such as Mads Østberg and Stéphane Lefebvre.
The results of the qualifying stage determine the starting order for the opening leg’s special stages. The top 15 crews from qualifying start in reverse order – meaning the 15th-fastest driver will be the first on the road. This has particular significance on gravel, where the first cars ‘sweep’ loose gravel off the surface, gradually improving grip for those starting further back, and potentially giving them a slight competitive edge.
Latvians on pace early
The qualifying test was based on a 6.3 km stretch of the Baranowo stage, partially reused from 2023. Dry and stable conditions allowed crews to push for optimal performance. Sesks and Francis signalled their intent early, topping both free practice runs with times of 3:28.6 and 3:25.8 respectively.
During qualifying, Lefebvre and co-driver Andy Malfoy (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2) held the top spot for most of the session until Sesks edged them out by 0.428 seconds. Behind them, 21-year-old Swede Isak Reiersen (Škoda Fabia RS Rally2), teamed with fellow countryman Stefan Gustavsson, took third (+0.743 s).
European championship leaders Roope Korhonen and Anssi Viinikka (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2) were fourth fastest (+0.936 s), followed by the experienced Mads Østberg and co-driver Giovanni Bernacchini (Citroën C3 Rally2, +1.532 s).
The quickest Polish crew was 2022 Rally Poland winners Mikołaj Marczyk and Szymon Gospodarczyk (Škoda Fabia RS Rally2), who placed eighth overall, 2.618 seconds off the lead. Current Polish championship leaders Jakub Matulka and Damian Syty (Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) rounded out the top 11 (+3.766 s).
Fast gravel, passionate fans
Earlier in the day and on Thursday, competitors took part in reconnaissance to prepare pacenotes for the Masurian stages. Drivers were unanimous in their praise for the roads:
“The stages are fast, narrow, and demand bravery – pretty cool, to be honest. It’s my first time here, so we might not be right on the pace from the start… A top eight finish would be a good result,” said Philip Allen.
“The stages are incredibly fast and smooth, with some big jumps. I did this rally back in 2023 and loved it. The fans are absolutely wild – that makes it even more exciting,” added Max McRae.
Mads Østberg, taking part in his seventh Rally Poland, commented: “It’s always a great rally here in Poland. I’ve done it several times, and the stages are beautiful… It won’t be an easy weekend, but we’ll do our best.”
Sweden’s Mille Johansson highlighted the challenge of the terrain: “It’s typical Poland – really fast and narrow. The surface is softer than in Sweden, so it will get rutted and tricky to find rhythm. But overall, I like it.”
ERC points leader Roope Korhonen echoed that sentiment: “The stages look great – very, very fast. Maybe some parts are even too fast. Of course, we’ll be trying to win, but there are a lot of quick local guys here.”
Polish co-driver Szymon Gospodarczyk noted: “The stages are stunning – there’s really nothing to complain about. Driving between the lakes is fantastic. Now we just wait for the fans and those long, spectacular jumps.”
Martins Sesks, who took victory in Poland in 2023, added: “When I was preparing for the rally, I thought the stages would be the same, but they actually turned out to be different. It’s going to be a real challenge again. I want to stay calm and get back into the Rally2 car with a good feeling on the MRF tyres. I’m happy to be back.”
Opening ceremony and first stage
Later this afternoon, the city of Mikołajki hosts an autograph session (16:05), a drivers’ meet-and-greet press conference (16:30), and the official start ceremony (17:00) – preceded by a moment of silence in memory of 21-year-old Italian driver Matteo Doretto, who tragically lost his life during pre-event testing.
The first competitive action begins at 19:00 with the fan-favourite Mikolajki Arena super special – a head-to-head stage held in a purpose-built arena unique to the ERC calendar.
ORLEN OIL 81st Rally Poland – qualifying stage results:
1. Martins Sesks / Renārs Francis (LVA/LVA, Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) 3:25.626 s
2. Stéphane Lefebvre / Andy Malfoy (FRA/FRA, Toyota GR Yaris Rally2) +0.428 s
3. Isak Reiersen / Stefan Gustavsson (NOR/SWE, Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) +0.743 s
4. Roope Korhonen / Anssi Viinikka (FIN/FIN, Toyota GR Yaris Rally2) +0.936 s
5. Mads Østberg / Giovanni Bernacchini (NOR/ITA, Citroën C3 Rally2) +1.532 s
6. Andrea Mabellini / Virginia Lenzi (ITA/ITA, Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) +1.863 s
7. Philip Allen / Craig Drew (GBR/GBR, Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) +2.007 s
8. Mikołaj Marczyk / Szymon Gospodarczyk (POL/POL, Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) +2.618 s
9. Jon Armstrong / Shane Byrne (GBR/IRL, Ford Fiesta Rally2 Mk II) +2.951 s
10. Simone Tempestini / Sergiu Itu (ROU/ROU, Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) +3.222 s
11. Jakub Matulka / Damian Syty (POL/POL, Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) +3.766 s
12. Mille Johansson / Johan Grönvall (SWE/SWE, Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) +4.927 s
13. Max McRae / Cameron Fair (IRL/GBR, Citroën C3 Rally2) +6.172 s
14. Jarosław Kołtun / Ireneusz Pleskot (POL/POL, Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) +7.683 s
15. Krzysztof Bubik / Adrian Sadowski (POL/POL, Škoda Fabia R5) +9.549 s