Quentin Gilbert ready to increase the pace in Finland

A legendary event which has seen the greatest names in the discipline triumph, it is a justice of the peace requiring speed and precision. Winner last year in Junior WRC on these lands, Quentin is confident but also displays all his humility in the face of this major challenge.

For Quentin Gilbert, addressing the Rally from Finland represents good memories but arrives at the heart of a season strewn with pitfalls. Each time fast, frequently well placed, the Vosges suffered from mechanical problems which often deprived him of convincing results.

“I am delighted to be in Finland, determined to turn the page on a complicated first half of the season”, confirms Quentin, who however started the year with a podium in WRC 2 during the Monte-Carlo Rally. Quentin Gilbert and Renaud Jamoul demonstrated their qualities on all terrains, which allows the DG Sport team crew to be optimistic. “We were able to fight each time in the top 5,” notes Quentin, “before mechanical problems appeared.

In Finland, the objective remains the same: aim for the top 5, while being the first of Peugeot – Citroën. To acclimatize to the terrain, the Franco-Belgian duo took part in a test session this Monday, on the sidelines of the Nordic event. “I didn’t remember it going that fast!” exclaims the pilot from Châtenois. It's faster than in Poland and there are bumps everywhere, hidden turns. You will have to be meticulous with your notes and very precise when driving, while maintaining as much speed as possible in the turns. In Poland we weren't very happy with our settings. Here, we focused on adapting them as best as possible during testing. »

As always this year, the WRC 2 category promises a constant battle. “We have been used, since the start of the season, to fighting with very fast drivers, especially the Finns, who will be here on their home turf, like Suninen or Lappi. But other local drivers will also want to show off and you will have to be at the top level to beat them. Last year we won here in the Junior WRC, we know we have the speed but nothing is guaranteed. »

The Finnish event is also a physical challenge, and Quentin is ready to take it on. “It’s such a physically demanding rally, which requires such concentration, that you need to have good preparation to be able to tackle it. The crew that knows how to stay calm when everything is accelerating can go far. I made sure I had the best training possible to be effective in this area. »

Neste Rally Finland will begin on Thursday July 28 with the traditional shakedown, followed in the evening by the Harju super special (2,27 km). Friday's marathon day will offer ten stages to the crews, before a repeat of Harju in the evening. Saturday will also be intense with two loops of four special stages, including the famous Ouninpohja route, the longest special stage of the event (33,00 km). The rally will end with two loops of two special stages, therefore Oittila, scene of the Power Stage.

The Rally of Finland will be followed live on AUTOhebdo.fr with our live text.