Sarrazin: “A unique dimension”

The opinion is unanimous, the Rally of Monte-Carlo is a rally in its own right, a legendary rally that all drivers dream of winning. Stéphane Sarrazin, pilot Peugeot , third last year, sees in this rally the unique opportunity to discover an event where the conditions are extremely changeable and during which the benchmarks, particularly grip, are constantly upset. “ When the terrain is dry or wet, it is a “tarmac” rally like any other, with longer special stages, of course, and above all much more varied., analyzes Stéphane Sarrazin. Everything changes as soon as there is snow, ice, black ice and constant changes in grip. The competition then takes on a unique dimension. »

Last year, the Peugeot driver was able to verify the difficulty of this event by making an error a few stages from the finish. “ I was in the game on the asphalt as well as on the snow, but in Monte-Carlo, that was not enough. The first priority is not speed. Is she going quickly while avoiding? until arrival? all the traps. Only once did I misjudge the available “grip”. This was enough to eliminate me from the fight for victory. »

Armed with a Peugeot 207 S2000, the Cévenol hopes to be able to do well, a year after his third place behind Sébastien Ogier and Freddy Loix. The driver is in any case certain that he will not need any time to adapt, after having participated in the pre-rally tests with Peugeot (see in photos ou on video). " I don't take part in many rallies but, nevertheless, I feel as much "at home" in my 207 S2000 as I do in the passenger compartment of my 908 HDi FAP. I know it: from the first turns of the first special, my automatisms will be back. » Start of “hostilities” Tuesday evening for the prologue, which will not be counted in the final ranking but will be used to establish the starting order for the next day.