Andrea Mabellini and The Racing Factory remain firmly in the fight for the 2025 FIA European Rally Championship thanks to the resilience and determination of Andrea Mabellini, Virginia Lenzi and all the team, who delivered an excellent performance at the JDS Machinery Rali Ceredigion despite a two-minute penalty.

On Thursday, September 4th, the Stewards announced a two-minute penalty for Car No. 2 (Andrea Mabellini / Virginia Lenzi) after individuals associated with The Racing Factory were identified in a restricted area during reconnaissance.

We wish to make it absolutely clear that there was never any intention to infringe the regulations of the FIA European Rally Championship. The incident was the result of an unfortunate coincidence, where people linked to the team happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. No competitive advantage was gained, nor could it have been gained, from this situation.

Nevertheless, we fully respect the authority of the FIA and the Stewards, and we accept our responsibility for the incident. Motorsport operates under strict regulations, and therefore we accept that even unintentional mistakes must be treated seriously.

We deeply regret that Andrea Mabellini and Virginia Lenzi, who had no involvement in the situation, were the ones most affected. Both showed maximum professionalism, determination, and fighting spirit throughout the ERC JDS Machinery Rali Ceredigion, ensuring that we remain side by side in the battle for the 2025 FIA ERC title. To them, we extend our sincerest apologies.

We also wish to underline our commitment to integrity and fair play. The Racing Factory has always stood for transparency and respect for the rules, and we remain proud of the work and dedication of all our drivers, engineers, and staff. This episode, while regrettable, does not reflect our values nor the way we compete.

With this chapter now closed, our full focus is on the decisive round of the ERC in Croatia. We will go there united, motivated by the support of our fans and partners, and determined to fight for the 2025 FIA European Rally Championship title.