Patience rewarded for Eric Camilli

How was this participation decided?

M-Sport n’a plus de pilote officiel cette année en R5 et cela faisait un moment qu’ils souhaitaient me réengager sur une manche. C’est tombé sur l’Allemagne.

Was this a surprise for you?

I haven't raced since Monte-Carlo, but I remained hopeful. We achieved good results in 2017 and I remained active, traveling in particular to Corsica or Portugal to see what could be done.

We spoke a lot with Malcolm Wilson and I am really happy that these discussions resulted in participation in Deutschland. I appreciate finally being able to make my return. I hope there will be a sequel.

Since Monte Carlo, Malcolm has never stopped looking for a way to make you race?

He told me several times that he wanted to allow me to return to competition and that he was looking for solutions. We had to be patient, but it's starting again and I'm very happy, even if it's in R5.

In six months, have you considered changing careers?

(Laughing. Editor’s note.) Very good question! It crossed my mind, but I didn't say it to myself because I always had the ambition to come back. I also had confidence in M-Sport and Malcolm Wilson.

He took me very young and it’s true that the first year in WRC was a bit difficult, but not catastrophic either if you look at what other young people are doing in the WRC. Last year, we finished vice-world champions in WRC2, which is still a great climb in the end...

Discover our full interview with Eric Camilli, in issue 2177 of AUTOhebdo, still available in digital version and on newsstands.