ERC 2023: Several potential winners in the Canaries

If it is well supplied with 82 cars announced, the list of crews registered at the start of rally of the Canaries has nothing to compare with that of the event which launched the season. There are still 36 Rally2s planned, but certain presenters seen in Portugal are absent.

The battle for first place, however, should be undecided between Hayden Paddon (Hyundai i20), Mads Ostberg (Citroën C3) and the potential winner, Yoann Bonato. This one indeed has excellent statistics on the island with a 2^e rank in 2020 and a 3^e last year. Will he be able to take advantage of his Michelin tires, which are still effective on this terrain? In addition to these three drivers, several outsiders will seek to do well, such as Efren Llarena. The reigning champion has revenge to take after a very lackluster start to the season. Tom Kristensson, Mikko Heikkilä, the unfortunate hero of Fafe, Martin Sesks and Simon Wagner. We must also not forget the candidates for the “Spain Superchampionship”, the national competition, with Jan Solans, Antonio Suarez, Oscar Palomo and Ivan Arès.

For his part, Mathieu Franceschi will try to create a surprise again after a very successful start in Portugal. Taking advantage of the break of several weeks, the young Frenchman competed in two regional events (Haute-Provence and Giraglia) in order to make progress on the asphalt. The Fayence pilot will see in Las Palmas whether his preparation has been effective.

First^e edition of the Canaries Rally offers 190,06 timed kilometers divided into 13 special stages.