Camilli: “I didn’t deserve this abandonment”

Éric Camilli n’a pas conclu sa saison 2016 comme il l’aurait souhaité. Le pilote M-Sport occupait la 7e place derrière son coéquipier Mads Ostberg lorsqu’il est parti en tonneau dans l’ES21, l’obligeant à mettre pied à terre dans la dernière étape de l’épreuve finale du calendrier. Le Français est d’autant plus déçu qu’il semblait à l’aise au volant de sa Ford Fiesta RS WRC.

“I didn’t deserve this abandonment this time, commented Eric Camilli. I don't know if the word "unlucky" exists in rally so many things can throw you off the road, but I think the term could be justified here. »

“I thought the road would be very slippery but it wasn't, continued Éric Camilli. I turned too early and dived too much into the corner. We found ourselves on two wheels and the car rolled over. This is not a fault due to lack of experience or a bad grade, or too high a speed, or anything like that. We just have to forget that and remember the good race we had until this moment. »

“I really enjoyed the Australian stages and we had a very good rally. We set many good times and the most important thing is that our pace was very close to our opponents. We were often faster than the more experienced crews. We didn't expect that and we will come back stronger next year.", warned Éric Camilli.

Son coéquipier Mads Ostberg a assuré une 6e place à M-Sport en terminant à 13 secondes de Dani Sordo (Hyundai).

“I am rather satisfied with this rally, said the Norwegian. As in Finland, we were able to set very interesting times while fighting near the front. Unfortunately, we lost too much time on certain courses to be able to play in front. We may only take 6th place, but we were able to get back into the fight. »

This result comes as a relief to Malcolm Wilson, the director of M-Sport, whose structure entered the current version of the Fiesta RS WRC for the last time.

“This is the end of a chapter where we say goodbye to the Ford Fiesta RS WRC, a car that has achieved great things over the last six years. It's all the more special since it's been exactly 20 years since we signed the contract with Ford, commented the Briton. We have achieved great things during this time and I am sure that more successes await us. The whole team is determined to return to the top step of the podium next year with the new Ford Fiesta WRC. »

M-Sport will perhaps succeed in achieving its objective by taking advantage of the withdrawal of Volkswagen Motorsport which has dominated the last four seasons.

“Above all, we must thank Volkswagen Motorsport for its commitment to our discipline, added Malcolm Wilson. I speak on behalf of the whole team when I say that it was a pleasure to race against them and that we will miss them very much. We hope to find them again one day. »

Find the full report and analysis of the Rally Australia, produced by our special correspondent, in issue 2090 of AUTOhebdo, available tomorrow evening in digital version, and from this Wednesday on newsstands.