WRC – Chardonnet: Monte-Carlo, “a childhood dream”

Sébastien Chardonnet knows thee Rally Monte Carlo since there is imposed during the last two editions in 2WD. But the task of the French driver promises to be more difficult this year since he will be racing on the snowy roads of the Monaco event aboard a Citroen DS3 WRC prepared by PH Sport. “I?m really looking forward to it starting. With my partners and my management, we have had a lot of work in recent weeks to successfully get this project off the ground. Do a Monte Carl? in WRC is a childhood dream, fighting among the best drivers in the world is going to be a reality! », commented the 2013 winner of the WRC3 and Citroën Top Driver.

If the Frenchman's level has evolved after his contested season last year in WRC2 in a DS3 R5, he was obliged to take the benchmarks of the WRC version with which he has already distinguished himself. “We carried out two days of testing in Ardèche then in Vercors (video) in order to take control of this DS3 that we left in October 2012, with a good tenth place in the general classification of the Rallye de France Alsace. I am very satisfied with the tests carried out and the professionalism of the PH Sport team. »

Sébastien Chardonnet will therefore be one to watch even if the grandson of the famous Lancia importer will have difficulty standing out against the tough competition present at the Monte-Carlo Rally. The new regulations will be more unfavorable to him since the top crews will notably benefit from paddle shifters, back this season. But more is needed to demotivate Chardonnet. “I feel very comfortable and confident with the car, which is for this event in the 2012 development version. The new approval made by the FIA ​​for the WRC is not going to work in our favor, but with Thibault (of the Hague, his co-pilot) we feel ready to fight and give the best of ourselves to shine on these roads that we love so much! »

The 83rd edition of the Monte-Carlo Rally will begin with two special stages from Thursday January 22 at 20 p.m.