Yoann Bonato: “We have enormous luck”

How do you analyze your entry into European matters?

Considering we were returning to Earth, I'd say it wasn't too bad on this surface. What we have done is promising, especially in Latvia. It didn't show too much in the final result (15th), because we had a bad position on the road on the first day, but it was a good race.

And on the tar?

There was a lot of waiting. In Italy, we would have liked to play the top 5. However, the Roma Capitale proved to be more difficult than we thought in terms of performance. We weren't as successful as we hoped. We gained a lot of experience. All the other competitors, as good as they were, who discovered this terrain also had a hard time.

Rally di Roma Capitale, 3rd round of theERC 2021 © Alexandre Guillaumot / DPPI

Were you surprised by the level of the ERC?

It runs strong! However, more than the level, it is the large number of crews who are capable of riding fast that amazes me. Between 5th and 15th place, the gaps remain tight. This is the difference with France where, when you are not first, you are 3rd by exaggerating a little. In Rome, even without our puncture and our little walk in a field, it would have been difficult for us to finish better than 5th. This means that there is still work to be done. I think the ERC is a championship that requires experience. You have to do it for a year in order to become familiar with all the rounds.

Is it a challenge to do France and the ERC?

With Benjamin (Boulloud, his co-driver. Editor's note), we have a huge chance of competing in this double program. However, it is much more difficult than I imagined. It is not easy to prepare well for the tests. We are run out of time. It is also complicated to savor since one must immediately project oneself towards the rally next while it is important to be able to relax and enjoy. Honestly, there is no physical fatigue, because what we do is not very hard, but on the other hand, a sequence of five weeks under pressure is a bit heavy.

Rally Liepaja, 2nd round of the 2021 ERC © Grégory Lenormand / DPPI

At the start of the year, you didn't know if you would combine the two competitions until the end of the season. What about now?

There were then overlapping dates. They no longer exist today. Therefore, if the ERC budget is maintained, we will do all the remaining rounds in both championships.