Yoann Bonato’s second ERC victory

If one day Yoann Bonato buys or builds a castle, it will inevitably be in Spain. Superbly guided by Benjamin Boulloud, his co-driver, the Citroën driver won his second success in the European Championship in the Canaries. He had already won in Catalonia last year.

Published on 06/05/2023 à 19:03

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If the second round of the season offered a less attractive list of starters than in Fafe, it was still easy to designate around ten potential winners. Although not considering himself brilliant enough for the role, Yoann Bonato nevertheless had everything he needed with already two podiums in three participations in this event.

Author of a very promising time during qualifying, the Isérois then negotiated a delicate first special including an original passage in a basketball hall. Having chosen to start in the lead on Saturday morning, the Frenchman was one of the drivers trapped by the rain that fell just before the start. On a road offering several types of grip conditions, the four-time French champion lost a few seconds on his rivals, finding himself 14^e. He then had 4 consecutive best times which allowed him to move up and then overtake his opponents. Having become leader at the end of SS4, the instructor from the Oisans massif finished the first stage with an 11'' margin over Hayden Paddon and 23''5 over Mathieu Franceschi. However, victory was not yet assured since there were 6 special stages and 99,46 km timed remaining.

On a course made particularly tricky by intermittent rain and sometimes fog, Yoann Bonato performed a great number. Well helped by his Michelin tires, he recorded three new best times which allowed him to consolidate his first place. Having pushed Paddon back more than 34'', Bonat' did not take any unnecessary risks in the final stretches and he won his 2^e success in ERC, Its 2^e in Spain.

Although lacking direction on the asphalt, Mathieu Franceschi produced a superb performance. For a moment in the fight for the podium, he let go at the end of rally when conditions became very complicated. This is the Frenchman's second very good performance in the ERC, a championship that he is nevertheless discovering.

In the championship, Hayden Paddon performed a superb operation. Winner in Fafe for the opening of the competition, he recorded a 2^e position which allows him to increase his lead.

Final classification of the Canary Islands rally