Laurent Pellier favorite for JWRC 2023?

Before dealing more specifically with the “Pellier case”, an observation is necessary. Despite the titles and the rave announcements, the JWRC 2023 is barely better than in 2022. Contested for the first time with a 4-wheel drive car in order to allow the hopefuls to learn more quickly how to use this technology, the championship had not made a recipe. Only 6 competitors had participated in all 5 rounds. This is very little for a formula which should logically attract young people and train them. Starting exactly on the same basis, all the authorities were convinced that the situation would improve in 2023. If there is indeed improvement, it is not euphoria either with 8 crews which should be present until at the Acropolis. It therefore seems that the Rally3 is still struggling to convince.

In Sweden, for the opening of the season, there will be 9 of them since Grégoire Munster was added to the list, undoubtedly to give it more scope. The Belgian with a Luxembourg license himself did not understand the benefit of the approach, knowing that he was mainly coming to ride on the snow. Given his experience with certain other candidates, his presence is questionable, because he could take points and confuse the issue. It will in any case constitute a good reference for aspirants whose general level is questionable.

It is at the wheel of this Ford Fiesta Rally3 that Laurent Pellier and Marine Pelamourgues will compete in the rally from Sweden

Last year, if the quantity had not been there, the battle had been superb until the end, confirming that it only takes 3 close competitors to have an attractive championship. What will it be this year? There are two repeaters. Will the Irishman William Creighton manage to exploit this experience? Erased last year, will the Paraguayan Diego Domingues show progress to be one of the contenders? The two drivers mentioned certainly have an advantage over the majority of the field which will discover the WRC. The two Spaniards Raul Hernandez and Roberto Blach, the Irishman Eamonn Kelly and the Belgian Tom Rensonet, author of great performances in his country, are novices on this level. The Kenyan Hamza Anwar has already raced there, but only at the Safari. In this context where there is great uncertainty about everyone's chances, what can Laurent Pellier hope for?

At 27, the Frenchman is the oldest of the lot. It is also the one with the longest track record with victories in three promotion formulas (Citroën, Peugeot , Opel). Will he manage to add one more manufacturer to his list? On paper, he is the one with the best assets, but you still have to temper your enthusiasm. Pellier will indeed have to discover the car, the events and the world of the WRC where he has only made two appearances. There may also be doubts about its ability to finance the entire season. A positive result in Umeå would undoubtedly encourage the future. The Frenchman knows what he has to do. See you Thursday evening for the launch of the JWRC 2023.