Rachele Somaschini will combine her first European Rally Championship campaign with building her experience at international level and promoting the #CorrerePerUnRespiro (Race for a Breath) initiative, which aims to raise aware of cystic fibrosis, a condition the Italian has struggled with since birth.

The Milan driver is set to contest all eight rounds of the ERC, including her home event, Rally di Roma Capitale in July. She will pilot a Citroën DS3 R3T with Tuscan Chiara Lombardi co-driving to extend a partnership that began in 2018.

“Taking part in the European championship is a great growth opportunity for me,” said the 26-year-old. “First of all, I have to thank my sponsors who have made this dream a reality. Our goal is to give our best and we are aware that it will not be easy."

"The organisers of the races and of the championship itself welcomed us with open arms and assured us of their support during our European debut. It will certainly be a year full of news and among these there may also be a change of car during the season.”

“I’m remaining positive although the situation is rather difficult, above all owing to the occurrence of the coronavirus emergency in Italy and as a consequence the need to cancel most of my commitments."

"However, we are looking for ways to do everything we can, whilst trying to preserve and maintain a good standard of health that, for people like me, who have a disease that already compromises the respiratory tract, remains a top priority.”

Somaschini competes with a simple message at the forefront of her mind: illness will not win if research is supported. It prompted her to create an awareness campaign, #CorrerePerUnRespiro (Race for a Breath), which combines her passion for motorsport with increasing knowledge and understanding of cystic fibrosis and supporting its vital research.