Canaries: Yoann Bonato: “We would like to win it again”

After your 2^e place at Le Touquet, was your victory at Charbonnières important to present yourself to the Canaries with full confidence?

Yes and no. I know that the first meeting of the year always has surprises in store. The conditions are often complicated and what is most important is to overcome them without making any mistakes. We didn't have to win...but we had to achieve a result. At Charbo, I was keen that things go well with the team. I didn't want to let doubt creep into the team that was just starting out or make people think that things were better before. Perhaps I had more of a desire to reassure everyone.

Does competing in the Canaries with this new Trajectus Motorsport structure change things?

Not for this round. It is made up of people who know the rally therefore French championship or ERC, it doesn't change much. The one who ultimately has the least reference points is Benoît (Tréluyer, Editor's note) and he quickly understands how it works. He goes on special, he gives us his opinion…

Since 2020 you haven't missed an edition. Are there still discoveries for a 5^e participation?

There really isn't too much new. With Benjamin (Boulloud, his co-driver, Editor's note), we are starting to know him well. It’s really a rally that I love. This is the ultimate asphalt event.

What is the secret to being successful?

You need a great car. If it is well adjusted, it quickly causes deviations. It's a bit like a kart, there is no vertical, but it doesn't have to be too stiff. There's a little finesse to be found to understand how to get grip, but when you get the hang of it, it's a real treat.

What did the first round in Hungary inspire you?

It will be complicated to compare with what happened during this ordeal because it was on earth. I was still happy to see the great performances of Mathieu Franceschi. In the Canaries, we risk running into a local or Spanish riders who are always fast there.

What is your objective ?

We would love to win it again… but it’s not going to be easy.

Can winning 2023 make you overconfident?

No way ! With the experience we have in France in events where we have had several successes, I know that each time it is more difficult. The next Mont-Blanc for example, I don't know if I'll make it even though we've won it 7 times. There will be no overconfidence. I prefer to keep a doubt… which requires us to give everything.