Rome, Agencia IP.- Italian driver Filippo Marchino competed last weekend in the ERC Rally di Roma Capitale 2026, behind the wheel of a Citroën C3 Rally2 decorated with Paraguay-inspired motifs, bringing the identity of Paraguay’s Nation Brand to one of the most important stages in European motorsport.
The Italian driver Filippo Marchino’s Citroën C3 Rally2 raced on the track in front of the historic Roman Colosseum, featuring a design inspired by Paraguay.
The vehicle’s design highlighted representative elements of the country: the pink tajy, Paraguay’s national tree; the colors of the Paraguayan flag; and the distinctive red soil that characterizes much of the national territory. The initiative was developed by the Paraguayan Ministry of Information and Communication Technologies (MITIC), in coordination with the Paraguay Nation Brand Directorate of Rediex and the WRC Ueno Rally del Paraguay team.
Asked about the experience, Marchino said: «It is such an honor to represent Paraguay. There are not many opportunities in a lifetime to represent the country. I have been incredibly fortunate. In the last few years, having a platform to share experiences with people, and the idea of running with the colors of Paraguay, its flowers, and its on me, on the car, and on my co-pilot, it’s very, very special. We are extremely thankful for it.»
A driver with World Championship experience
Marchino has been building his career in the support categories of the World Rally Championship (WRC). In recent years, he has participated in asphalt rallies such as the Rallye Monte-Carlo, the Croatia Rally, and the Rally Islas Canarias, and he currently competes in the WRC2 Challenger category. His presence at the Rally di Roma Capitale, one of the most followed events on the European calendar, represented a new opportunity to increase Paraguay’s international visibility.
An invitation to the WRC Rally Paraguay
The initiative also sought to generate anticipation for the WRC Ueno Rally Paraguay 2026, which will take place from August 27 to 30 in the department of Itapúa as the 11th round of the World Rally Championship. The competition will travel through the region’s characteristic red-dirt roads and landscapes in southern Paraguay, featuring a 356-kilometer route divided into 22 special stages.
The 2025 edition was recognized by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) as the Best Rally in the World. This distinction increased Paraguay’s international visibility and positioned Itapúa as one of the new benchmark destinations for global motorsport.
From the roads of Rome to the world championship stages of Itapúa, Paraguay’s Nation Brand continues to project itself to the world.