Junior WRC – The title or nothing for Jean-Baptiste Franceschi

The Frenchman is not afraid to show his ambitions, to say the least. Victim of a serious accident last November on the sidelines of a round of the Rally du Var, Jean-Baptiste Franceschi returns to the Junior category next week WRC, which he had already encountered in 2018. For this meeting on Croatian soil – or rather asphalt – from April 21 to 24, the young 26-year-old driver is aiming for nothing other than victory, and ultimately, the title, which would open the doors to world rallying for good.

" I'm really looking forward, he enthuses. I'm dying to experience the Rally3, as I've never tried it before and it will be my first time in Croatia. I competed in the Junior WRC three years ago, but it was with the help of the French Motor Sport Federation [FFSA]. It wasn't easy to come back, especially if you don't have many partners. So it’s a dream that comes true again and I want to give everything to have no regrets. »

Jean-Baptiste Franceschi and Romain Courbon celebrate their victory during the 2018 Tour de Corse – Photo Thomas Fenetre / DPPI

Victorious during the 2018 Corsica Rally and classified third in the championship at the finish, Franceschi has since been content to evolve on the national and continental scene, on the sidelines of the FIA ​​European Rally Championship (ERC) notably. Crowned with an ERC Junior title last year, the Frenchman thus obtained his ticket for the Junior WRC championship, as part of a program set up by M-Sport Poland, Pirelli and ERC Promoter. Enough to give him hope in his quest.

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“My experience of the Junior WRC acquired in 2018 is important, because I know the pace and the risks that we can take, particularly on gravel, adds Jean-Baptiste Franceschi. However, I have no room for error after missing Sweden. I haven't done any testing. I tried to make one, but unfortunately there is no car like that in France. It's a great opportunity, so I have to be at the top of my game and not give up. »

The Frenchman will therefore have a lot to do, he who only has four rounds to touch the coveted Grail – Croatia then Portugal, Estonia and Greece. Fortunately, the regulations for the junior championship provide for the counting of one round out of the five planned, as well as double points during the last round, the famous Acropolis Rally. Everything remains possible for the French!

If he were to win at the end of the season, he could follow in the footsteps of his predecessors who passed through the category, and who are (or who have been) the heyday of world rallying since – Sébastien Loeb (2001), Dani Sordo (2005), Sébastien Ogier (2008) Craig Breen (2011) or Elfyn Evans (2012).