The 2025 FIA European Rallycross RX3 Championship season reached a dramatic conclusion in Istanbul, as Portugal’s João Ribeiro was crowned Euro RX3 champion while Lithuania’s Rytis Gurklys stormed to victory in the final.

The 42-year-old Baltar native has been the standout performer of the season, delivering consistent speed and precision across Europe. In Türkiye, Ribeiro once again proved his class, dominating qualifying and the semi-finals to secure enough points to clinch his maiden FIA European Rallycross RX3 title.

His run, however, ended in frustration. A brake failure after the semi-finals sidelined him before the all-important final. But by then, the work was already done: Ribeiro’s tally guaranteed his first European crown, capping off a breakthrough campaign for the Portuguese driver.

With Ribeiro out of the final, the spotlight shifted to his season-long rival, Rytis Gurklys. The Lithuanian lined up on pole and launched into the lead, fending off Hungarian contender Sámuel Kovács into turn one. From there, Gurklys controlled the race, building a commanding advantage that no one could match.

It was a fitting finale for the young star, who pushed Ribeiro hard throughout the season and confirmed his status as one of the brightest prospects in the Euro RX paddock.

While Gurklys checked out up front, the battle behind lit up the Istanbul crowd. Antigua’s Nicolas Geleyns delivered one of the performances of the season, showing both speed and flair. After a slow getaway, he set about chasing Kovács for second place.

Attempting a bold move around the outside, Geleyns clipped the front of Kovács’ Skoda Fabia and was pitched into a dramatic 360-degree spin. Somehow, the teenager kept his foot in, pulled off a pirouette that echoed Timmy Hansen’s Holjes heroics, and rejoined still ahead of Kovács. The grandstands erupted, and Geleyns pressed on to chase Gurklys, ultimately finishing a superb second in only his rookie campaign.

For Kovács, the contact with Geleyns marked the beginning of the end. Pushed off line, he bogged down in the loose gravel and was forced into retirement, his hopes of a podium evaporating.

Kovács’ loss was Sousa’s gain, as the Portuguese driver, swept through to claim third place. Sousa had earlier lost time in a first-corner fight with Kovács but capitalised late to secure a spot on the rostrum and end his season on a high.

For fellow countryman and family member Rogério Sousa, the luck ran out early. A mechanical issue forced him to pull off just metres after turn two, ending his hopes of a strong finish in heartbreaking fashion.

With Ribeiro crowned champion, Gurklys victorious in Türkiye, and emerging stars like Geleyns making their mark, the 2025 Euro RX3 season ends in fine health. The championship continues to prove itself as the proving ground for rallycross talent, and attention now turns to 2026, where rising drivers will look to follow Ribeiro’s path and write their own chapter in European rallycross history.

2025 FIA European RX3 Rallycross Champion, João Ribeiro, said: “I’m so happy to finally be champion, it really feels amazing. The weekend didn’t finish the way I wanted after the brake problem kept me out of the final, but the work was already done in qualifying and the semi-finals. The important thing was to stay calm, avoid mistakes and make sure I secured the points we needed.

Of course, I would have liked to end the season fighting for another win, but the championship is what matters. Now we can celebrate properly - it’s a very special moment.”

Rytis Gurklys, NG Racing Team, added: “I’m really happy to finish on the top step here in Turkey. The semi-final was tough with a lot of mistakes, but I kept calm and delivered in the final. Of course, P2 in the championship isn’t what I wanted, I wanted P1, but that just makes me more determined for next year. I’ll be back in RX3 in 2026, pushing to finally become champion.”

Nicolas Geleyns, Volland Racing, commented: I’m so happy with this result. The semi-final was tough, I made mistakes and thought my weekend might be over, but to come back and finish P2 on the podium feels amazing. That 360 moments with Kovács was crazy. For a second I thought I was heading straight into the wall, but I kept it together, stayed on the throttle and somehow saved it. It looked cool, and the fans loved it, so I’m glad it worked out.

This year it seems like every podium for me has been P2, but hopefully next year it will be P1. The Turkish fans have been incredible, so passionate and so supportive, it really felt special to race here.”

André Sousa, said: “I’m really pleased to finish the season on the podium here in Türkiye. It was a tough race, but I stayed focused and managed to bring the car home in third place. It’s a great way to end the year, and I want to thank my team and everyone who has supported me throughout the season.”

Click here to view the final classification from the Euro RX3 of Türkiye.

Click here to view the provisional championship standings.