Pourchaire, Martins, Hadjar, David and Masson put to the test on the ground

The five members of the French circuit team Théo Pourchaire, Victor Martins, Isack Hadjar, Hadrien David and Esteban Masson met in Monteils, in contact with the ultra-versatile Stéphane Sarrazin, for a dirt driving course. From the Suzuki Swift to a Hyundai i20 Rally2, the five dragsters were amazed!

Published on 18/05/2022 à 11:06

Jeremy Satis

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Pourchaire, Martins, Hadjar, David and Masson put to the test on the ground

Martins, Pourchaire, Hadjar, David and Masson discovered the joys of dirt rallying. © Bastien Roux/FFSA

At first glance, we can legitimately wonder what five great French hopes of the circuits can do on a dirt track with cars of rally of all kinds. And yet, Hadrien David (FRECA), Isack Hadjar (F3 FIA), Victor Martins (F3 FIA), Esteban Masson (FRECA) and Theo Pourchaire (F2 FIA) were present on the Monteils school track, in the Gard, to discover the joys of driving on land, thanks to the FFSA. The interest is real for these kings of asphalt and curbs: discovering a level of grip different from what they are used to and using it for their purposes in car.

In contact with Stéphane Sarrazin, an XXL coach who has touched everything brilliantly in his career, the five young men, most of whom do not even have a license yet, showed enormous adaptability. “On this day, apart from the cohesion it creates between them, we put them in difficulty in an unknown environment, explains DTN Christophe Lollier. This allowed us to see their ability to adapt to a low level of grip and their coordination in controlling their driving. This experience will greatly benefit them when they are faced with difficult racing conditions. I am frankly amazed by their progress.” 

After a discovery phase at the wheel of a 2-wheel drive Suzuki Rally Cup, Esteban Masson and his comrades then took the controls of a 4-wheel drive Mitsubishi, a car that they particularly appreciated. After a few turns in Peugeot 208 “Yacco FFSA Youth Rally” de la Stellantis Motors Cup, ils ont clôturé le stage par la découverte de la Hyundai Rally 2 du Sarrazin Motorsport.

When they got out of the car, the five drivers were simply in heaven! “This car is a monster,” Isack Hadjar showed us with phenomenal progress throughout the day. Stéphane Sarrazin, as a luxury coach, did not hide his admiration for the club of five. “It’s really very neat what they did. In just one day, they have made enormous progress”

Some of them are now dreaming of starting a gravel rally! Théo Pourchaire and Victor Martins, in particular, could see themselves tackling the discipline. But not right away obviously! For now, the five young men will return to their traditional seats. Pourchaire, Martins and Hadjar in Barcelona this weekend for F2 and F3. Then David and Masson in Monaco the following week for FRECA. This time, you will have to avoid drifting and sliding, to refocus on the asphalt and its strong grip. But these great hopes of French motorsport have shown it: they are capable of adapting to anything! 

Find the inside report in the coming weeks in AUTOhebdo and on AUTOhebdo.fr. 

ALSO READ > Cross-interview – Pourchaire and Martins: “Our first meeting? One on top of the other in a kart!”

Jeremy Satis

Great F1 reporter & passionate about promotional formulas

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