Andrea Crugnola wins (finally) in Rome, Bonato 7th

With another 85,52 km timed and 6 special stages to go, this last stage of the Rally di Roma Capitale could experience new twists and turns. If there were any in the peloton, it did not concern Andrea Crugnola.

In the lead since Friday's superspecial, the Italian perfectly managed the lead he had built up by winning Saturday's 6th stage. Large leader of the Italian championship, the 34-year-old driver controlled the events, accepting to lose time in the very degraded sections which caused many punctures. He finally won with a gap of 23s, thus averting his curse in Rome.

The former Italian hopeful is ahead of Giandomenico Basso. The Italian veteran was discovering the new Fabia RS and it took him a few stages to find his feet. A moment threatened by Yoann Bonato for the 2^e Instead, Basso ended up having the last word, notably because the Frenchman had to change a wheel in the penultimate stage. Until then, the multiple French champion had been the only one to keep up with the locals. Author of a scratch, he managed to dismiss Basso, but the latter was back in front on Sunday morning. The long special was to serve as a justice of the peace and it did not work in favor of Yoann who finished 7^e.

Knowing that the gaps were too big, the podium was quickly no longer a goal for Hayden Paddon. In the absence of Mads Ostberg who will return for the last two rounds of the calendar, the New Zealander focused on Martins Sesks, but that did not last long. The Latvian in fact violently hit an embankment, putting an end to his race. Author of his first fault of the season with a small hit, Paddon however had to work hard to get back to 4^e rank. Bonato's puncture gives him his 6^e podium in as many rallies in ERC. Suffice it to say that his lead in the championship (55 points over Sesks) should allow him to calmly consider the end of the competition.

Discovering the collaboration with Andy Malfoy for the first time alongside him and the Fabia RS, Mathieu Franceschi experienced his worst weekend in the ERC in 2023. Although he showed progress during the 2^e Saturday loop, the difficulties returned today including a problem with the fuel pump which forced him to abandon.

Final classification of the 2023 Rally di Roma Capitale