Melon claims European Rallycross vice-title in ERX4 debut season
Polish driver Filip Melon finished second in the 2026 FIA European Rallycross Championship ERX4 class after a breakthrough debut season that saw him win three consecutive rounds before a technical issue and contact in the final round cost him the title.
Filip Melon has secured the vice-championship in the 2026 FIA European Rallycross Championship ERX4 class, capping a remarkable debut season in the discipline. The Polish driver, who arrived in European rallycross after two domestic SC Cup titles, exceeded expectations by fighting for the overall title through the final round in Portugal.
Melon's campaign began cautiously at the opening round in Latvia, but he found his rhythm from round two onwards. Three consecutive victories at Nyirad, Höljes in Sweden, and Portugal's opening final demonstrated his rapid adaptation to the RX4 class and European competition. A technical disqualification in Ireland—caused by a radiator 3mm thicker than homologation specifications—interrupted his momentum and ultimately proved decisive in the championship fight.
The season came down to the final double-header in Portugal. Melon won Saturday's final but lost ground on Sunday despite starting from pole position. Contact with a rival pushed him down the order, and high ambient temperatures caused his car to enter limp-home mode, forcing him to finish fifth in the decisive race. That result handed the title to a rival, though Melon's second-place finish in the championship standings represents a significant achievement for a driver in his first European rallycross season.
"The season was meant to be about learning and gaining experience," Melon reflected. "After the first round, everything changed—from round two I won three consecutive rounds and suddenly we were fighting for the title. It was supposed to be a learning year, but it turned into a fight for the European championship. I'm very satisfied with this result and it's huge motivation for the future."
The radiator issue, which cost Melon crucial points in Ireland, stemmed from the car being purchased abroad shortly before the season. Despite assurances of homologation compliance, the component proved non-standard. The team accepted the penalty philosophically, noting that the same car had competed without issues in Rally4 events prior to the season.
Melon's vice-championship represents a breakthrough result for Polish rallycross at the European level and validates the decision to step up from domestic competition to the continental stage.