Rally of Chile – Yohan Rossel: “I’m going to Chile with a smile”

After competing in the event last year, do you have a lot of kilometres to discover?

There have indeed been quite a few transformations. The last day is new and there is a new special and a half on Saturday out of the three while Friday is identical to what we did 12 months ago. When you know the roads, it is true that it is easier to prepare, but the changes do not bother me. I even prefer when we discover sections, because otherwise it becomes a circuit. Everyone learns by heart. I am not a fan of the video, but we are obliged to do it. When there are modifications, it provides more adrenaline.

Did you enjoy your first experience in Chile?

It was a total discovery and for my first rally outside of Europe I had enjoyed it. On the roads, we were really aware of being on another continent. We had struggled a lot on the first day and then the next two stages had been more positive. It was up to us to have three great days this year.

Between this first visit to Chile and the progress you have made on dirt, but also the Citroën C3, are you more confident this year?

First of all, I'm going to Chile with a smile on my face. It's important. You can compete in exceptional rallies, but if it doesn't work out well, it's complicated. When you have a car that's competitive and you know you're going to be able to fight in front, it's a very nice feeling. You go there with more desire. I hope I can aim for victory, because that's when I get the most pleasure.

Isn't the only reason for this trip to prevent Oliver Solberg from winning?

That's for sure (laughs)! I especially want to feel good there. We have seen that sometimes it doesn't take much to jam the machine and lose a success. I tell myself that we have to make a clean rally by being in the top three of each special all the time and without making any stupid mistakes.

The situation is quite simple. If Oliver wins, he's the winner. If he doesn't, do you still have a chance?

He has been in his own backyard for 4 out of 7 events and now is the time to make him doubt. Oliver was fast in 2023 in Chile, but I am not neglecting the other competitors who will also want to shine. Some like Fergus Greensmith or Pierre Louis Loubet will benefit from a very good starting order and that could make the difference, because the sweep was important last year. I am not putting myself under any extra pressure by telling myself that I absolutely have to beat Solberg. I will settle into my rhythm and if he is a little lacking at the start, we will see how to adjust the situation. During the 2023 Central Europe Rally, I convinced myself that we had to win at all costs… We led, but after three SS, we were in the trees… I regret that we have faced each other so little this season, but that is the rule.

Last year, the tyre wear parameter played an important role. How does the C3 behave with its rubber and is it something you have a good handle on?

Citroën is excellent in this area. I think that for my part I have always been efficient in this sector so it is up to us to be irreproachable.

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