The 2026 season marks the beginning of a new and ambitious challenge for Marco Butti, who is ready to return as a front-runner in the TCR Europe Touring Car Series with Monlau Motorsport, the reigning Drivers’ and Teams’ Champions. The Como-based driver will be part of a three-car line-up and will compete behind the wheel of a CUPRA Leon VZ TCR, with the clear objective of fighting once again at the top of the championship.

For Butti, this will be his third season in TCR Europe. After winning the Trophy class in his debut year in 2022, the Italian driver continued his career in the TCR Italy championship in 2023, before stepping up to the FIA TCR World Tour in 2024. His return to TCR Europe in 2025 saw him immediately among the main title contenders, heading into the final round of the season as championship leader.

Joining Monlau Motorsport now represents a key strategic step in Butti’s career. The Barcelona-based team enters the 2026 season with a renewed project and a highly competitive line-up. The objective is clear: to defend last year’s titles and reaffirm their position as a benchmark in the category.

Marco Butti’s statements

“The goal for this season is to be competitive from the very first race together with the team. We work with the highest level of professionalism and responsibility, aiming for strong results and a consistent, solid season.

I immediately felt comfortable within the team; the communication is direct and constructive, which is fundamental to extracting the maximum potential from the car.

My first impressions of the CUPRA Leon VZ TCR are positive. It is a different car compared to what I have driven in the past and it requires a period of adaptation, but it suits my driving style well and there is still a lot of potential to unlock.

I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank Ruben Fernandez and his entire family for their trust and unconditional support, which has never been lacking and represents a fundamental part of my sporting and personal journey. A heartfelt thank-you also goes to my family and friends, who are always present and supportive throughout the season.

Finally, I would like to thank all the sponsors who continue to believe in our sporting project and place such great trust in me. We will work extremely hard, together, to achieve the goals we have set.”

Il Rally Il Ciocchetto 2025, in programma dal 19 al 21 dicembre presso la Tenuta Il Ciocco, rappresenterà l’ultimo impegno stagionale per Marco Butti, pronto a tornare in gara in uno degli appuntamenti più attesi e suggestivi del panorama rallistico nazionale. Il pilota comasco sarà al volante della Toyota Yaris Rally2, affiancato dal navigatore Paolo Zanini, con il supporto del team Delta Rally.

Reduce dall’ottima prestazione al Pavia Rally Circuit, dove ha conquistato la vittoria di classe Rally2 e il secondo posto assoluto, Butti arriva al rally natalizio con grande motivazione, determinato a chiudere l’anno sportivo con un’altra prova solida e concreta.

Il Ciocchetto è una gara dalle caratteristiche uniche: prove speciali brevi ma estremamente tecniche, condizioni meteo spesso variabili e un’atmosfera particolare, capace di unire competizione e spirito conviviale. Un contesto che richiede concentrazione e precisione, ma che allo stesso tempo rende l’evento uno dei più apprezzati da equipaggi e appassionati.

Dichiarazioni di Marco Butti

“Il Ciocchetto è un rally tutt’altro che semplice. Le prove sono corte, ma molto tecniche, e richiedono grande attenzione, soprattutto se le condizioni cambiano. È una gara che va affrontata con rispetto e precisione, cercando di mantenere sempre un buon ritmo.
Arriviamo da un risultato importante e vogliamo continuare a lavorare con lo stesso approccio, sfruttando al meglio il pacchetto a disposizione. Colgo l’occasione per ringraziare i nostri sponsor, il team e tutte le persone che rendono possibile questo progetto sportivo: il loro supporto è fondamentale per essere qui e affrontare al meglio ogni gara.”

 

Programma e Prove Speciali

Rally Il Ciocchetto 2025 – 19/21 dicembre

PS 1 – 3 – 5 | College – 2,54 km

PS 2 – 4 – 6 | La Rosa – 2,98 km

PS 7 – 9 – 11 – 13 | Stadio – 2,60 km

PS 8 – 10 – 12 – 14 | Noi TV – 1,89 km

Marco Butti set to take on Rally Il Ciocchetto 2025 to close the season

“It was a beautiful race; we felt very comfortable and managed to deliver great work. The team provided us with a perfect car, which allowed us to stay focused and run the rally without any worries.
We achieved an excellent result, and much of the credit goes to everyone who supports this sporting project: our sponsors, family, and friends. Without them, none of this would be possible, and it’s always nice to bring home results they can be proud of.
We move forward with even more motivation.”It was a weekend to remember for Marco Butti, who delivered a top–level performance at the 5th Pavia Rally Circuit, finishing second overall and taking victory in the R5–Rally2 category.
The driver from Como, alongside co-driver Paolo Zanini, dominated his class by winning every special stage and maintaining a strong pace throughout the event.

The Castelletto Circuit, a track Butti knows well, once again offered great feeling and allowed the crew to express their full potential with consistency and precision. The Toyota Yaris Rally2, prepared by Step-Five Motorsport, performed flawlessly all weekend, enabling a clean and trouble-free run.

Statement from Marco Butti

“Rally Il Ciocchetto is anything but easy. The stages are short but very technical and require a high level of concentration, especially when conditions change. It’s a rally that must be approached with respect and precision, always trying to maintain a good rhythm.
We are coming from an important result and want to continue working with the same mindset, making the most of the package we have. I would like to thank our sponsors, the team, and everyone who makes this project possible — their support is fundamental for us to be here and to compete at our best.”

 

Programme and Special Stages

(Rally Il Ciocchetto 2025 – December 19–21)

SS 1 – 3 – 5 | College – 2.54 km

SS 2 – 4 – 6 | La Rosa – 2.98 km

SS 7 – 9 – 11 – 13 | Stadio – 2.60 km

SS 8 – 10 – 12 – 14 | Noi TV – 1.89 km

Weekend da incorniciare per Marco Butti, che al 5° Pavia Rally Circuit ha firmato una prestazione di altissimo livello, chiudendo secondo assoluto e conquistando la vittoria nella categoria R5–Rally2. Il pilota comasco, affiancato da Paolo Zanini, ha dominato la propria classe vincendo tutte le prove speciali di categoria e mantenendo sempre un ritmo competitivo anche nella classifica generale.

La gara sul tracciato del Castelletto Circuit, già noto a Butti, ha confermato le ottime sensazioni della vigilia, permettendo all’equipaggio di esprimersi con grande fluidità e costanza. La Toyota Yaris Rally2 preparata da Step-Five Motorsport si è rivelata impeccabile per tutto il weekend, contribuendo a una performance pulita e priva di errori.

Dichiarazioni di Marco Butti

“È stata una gara bellissima, ci siamo sentiti molto a nostro agio e siamo riusciti a fare un ottimo lavoro. Il team ci ha messo a disposizione una macchina perfetta, che ci ha permesso di concentrarci esclusivamente sulla guida e di disputare una gara senza preoccupazioni.
Abbiamo ottenuto un grande risultato e gran parte del merito va a tutti coloro che spingono insieme a noi questo progetto sportivo: sponsor, famiglia, amici. Senza di loro nulla sarebbe possibile, ed è sempre bello poter regalare risultati così importanti.
Andiamo avanti con ancora più motivazione.”

Butti flawless: wins Rally2 and takes P2 overall at the Pavia Rally Circuit

“It was a beautiful race; we felt very comfortable and managed to deliver great work. The team provided us with a perfect car, which allowed us to stay focused and run the rally without any worries.
We achieved an excellent result, and much of the credit goes to everyone who supports this sporting project: our sponsors, family, and friends. Without them, none of this would be possible, and it’s always nice to bring home results they can be proud of.
We move forward with even more motivation.”It was a weekend to remember for Marco Butti, who delivered a top–level performance at the 5th Pavia Rally Circuit, finishing second overall and taking victory in the R5–Rally2 category.
The driver from Como, alongside co-driver Paolo Zanini, dominated his class by winning every special stage and maintaining a strong pace throughout the event.

The Castelletto Circuit, a track Butti knows well, once again offered great feeling and allowed the crew to express their full potential with consistency and precision. The Toyota Yaris Rally2, prepared by Step-Five Motorsport, performed flawlessly all weekend, enabling a clean and trouble-free run.

Statement from Marco Butti

“It was a beautiful race; we felt very comfortable and managed to deliver great work. The team provided us with a perfect car, which allowed us to stay focused and run the rally without any worries.
We achieved an excellent result, and much of the credit goes to everyone who supports this sporting project: our sponsors, family, and friends. Without them, none of this would be possible, and it’s always nice to bring home results they can be proud of.
We move forward with even more motivation.”

Marco Butti sarà protagonista questo fine settimana al 5° Pavia Rally Circuit 2025, in programma il 29 e 30 novembre presso il Castelletto Circuit, tracciato che il pilota comasco conosce bene e dove ha sempre trovato ottime sensazioni.

A seguito della cancellazione del Monza Rally Show, inizialmente previsto nel suo programma sportivo, Butti e il team Step-Five Motorsport hanno scelto di concludere la stagione partecipando alla gara pavese, con l’obiettivo di mantenere il ritmo agonistico e competere al massimo livello. Al volante della Toyota Yaris Rally2, il pilota sarà affiancato dal navigatore Paolo Zanini.

Dichiarazioni di Marco Butti

“Arriviamo a questo Rally con grande voglia. Ogni volta che abbiamo partecipato al Pavia Rally Circuit ci siamo sentiti molto a nostro agio. Eravamo concentrati nel chiudere il nostro anno sportivo facendo ciò che più amiamo e al miglior livello possibile, quindi affronteremo la gara con il giusto professionalismo per raggiungere gli obiettivi prefissati.

Voglio ringraziare tutti per il sostegno e la vicinanza. Dai miei sponsor, che credono in questo progetto sportivo, al team Step-Five Motorsport che ci mette a disposizione una grande vettura, fino alla mia famiglia e agli amici, sempre pronti a darci un incoraggiamento prezioso.”

Programma e Prove Speciali
Shakedown – Castelletto Circuit

Sabato 29 novembre – 14:30 / 16:30

Prove Speciali (PS)
Sabato 29 novembre

PS1 – Castelletto Circuit (6 Giri)
* 9,87 km – ore 17:14

PS2 – Castelletto Circuit (6 Giri)
* 9,87 km – ore 19:26

Domenica 30 novembre

PS3 – G6iri – ACI Pavia
* 9,01 km – ore 08:54

PS4 – G6iri – ACI Pavia
* 9,01 km – ore 11:05

PS5 – G6iri – Castelletto Circuit
* 9,87 km – ore 13:13

PS6 – G6iri – ACI Pavia
* 9,01 km – ore 15:25

Totale PS: 56,64 km

Percorso totale: 57,84 km

Prove speciali: 6

Butti shines at the rainy Rally Vedovati on his return to rallying

Marco Butti is set to compete this weekend at the 5th Pavia Rally Circuit 2025, scheduled for 29–30 November at the Castelletto Circuit — a venue he knows well and where he has consistently shown speed and confidence.

Following the cancellation of the Monza Rally Show, originally included in his season plan, Butti and the Step-Five Motorsport team decided to close the year by entering the Pavia Rally Circuit, aiming to maintain racing momentum and compete at a high level. He will once again drive the Toyota Yaris Rally2, this time alongside co-driver Paolo Zanini.

Statement from Marco Butti

“We arrive at this Rally with great motivation. Every time we have competed at the Pavia Rally Circuit we have felt very comfortable. Our focus was to finish the season doing what we love at the highest possible level, so we will approach the event with the professionalism it deserves as we work to achieve our goals.

I want to thank everyone for their support. From my sponsors, who believe in this project, to the Step-Five Motorsport team for providing us with a great car, and to my family and friends, whose encouragement is always so important.”

Event Schedule and Special Stages
Shakedown – Castelletto Circuit

Saturday 29 November – 14:30 / 16:30

Special Stages (SS)
Saturday 29 November

SS1 – Castelletto Circuit (6 Laps)
* 9.87 km – 17:14

SS2 – Castelletto Circuit (6 Laps)
* 9.87 km – 19:26

Sunday 30 November

SS3 – G6iri – ACI Pavia
* 9.01 km – 08:54

SS4 – G6iri – ACI Pavia
* 9.01 km – 11:05

SS5 – G6iri – Castelletto Circuit
* 9.87 km – 13:13

SS6 – G6iri – ACI Pavia
* 9.01 km – 15:25

Totals

Total SS distance: 56.64 km

Total route: 57.84 km

Special stages: 6