Yoann Bonato and Didier Auriol in a Lancia Delta Integrale Group A at the Tour de Corse Historique

For several years now, the Tour de Corse Historique has been in full swing, bringing together numerous prestigious drivers and co-drivers, as well as exceptional cars. The 2026 edition, scheduled from October 3rd to 10th, will certainly be no exception. Indeed, after the announcement of Jos's participation... Verstappen (BMW M3 E30) or even Julien Saunier (Renault Following the 5 Maxi Turbo) on the Isle of Beauty, it's now Yoann Bonato and Didier Auriol's turn to jointly announce their participation in the event, driving two Lancia Delta Integrales Group A. The six-time French Rally Champion's car will, unsurprisingly, be co-driven by Benjamin Boulloud, while the 1994 World Rally Champion will be accompanied by Fabrice Gordon, recent winner of the Rally from Chablais VHC (Switzerland) alongside François Delecour. Their two cars will be prepared by Patrick Canavese's Milano Racing team, now specializing in preparing homologated cars for historic rallies, which this season also fields Anthony Fotia and William Hanocq in a Renault Clio Maxi. The latter two should logically also be among the entrants for the 2026 edition.

A return to their roots for both Didier Auriol and Yoann Bonato

Didier Auriol is no stranger to the Tour de Corse Historique. In 2018, he notably finished second in the event alongside Denis Giraudet in a Ford Sierra RS Cosworth. Yoann Bonato, on the other hand, will be experiencing this rally for the first time. Both men have, of course, participated several times in the "real" Tour de Corse, when it was a round of the World Rally Championship: Didier Auriol is the joint record holder for victories in the rally, having won it six times (1988, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1994, 1995), while Yoann Bonato has achieved two podium finishes in WRC2 (2016, 2018) as well as a third place in the Junior category. WRC In 2007, they competed in a Citroën C2 Super 1600 sporting the colors of the French Federation of Motorsport. It's worth noting that the reigning champions of the Tour de Corse Historique are Olivier Capanaccia and Mathieu Tyran, who triumphed in a BMW M3 E30 after a fierce battle and an epic finale, marked by the off-road excursion of the 2025 French Historic Rally Champions, Bertrand Fassio and Jean-François de Montredon, right at the end of the race. The 2025 champions have already announced their intention to return this year to try and retain their title.

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