Arnaud Dunand "wants to contribute" in his own way to the history of Lancia

A new adventure begins with this official announcement at Lancia. What does this brand mean to you?

Lancia is a brand with an incredible history in rallyWhen you think of Lancia, you immediately think of passion and a unique sporting heritage. It remains the most successful brand to this day, with 11 world championship titles among manufacturers! Joining this team means joining a company that has made history, and that naturally generates extra motivation. It's a new adventure that's beginning, with great ambition and the desire to contribute, in my own way, to the return of a legendary name to the highest level.

In 2025, you seemed to be performing better than ever, across all terrains, which wasn't necessarily the case before. What are your thoughts on this evolution and on Yohan's driving?

We started the season with new Hankook tires, which required a lot of work with the teams to adapt the car. We performed well right away with two consecutive wins (Monte Carlo and the Canary Islands). Then, on gravel, we had to continue searching for technical solutions, and we were just missing that little something against the ToyotaNevertheless, we were able to show that our level remained very high. Each rally allowed us to better understand the tires and refine the setup, and Yohan was able to extract the maximum from the package in all conditions. Even when we lacked that little "extra" to challenge the Toyota, he demonstrated an impressive ability to adapt, to remain aggressive yet clean, and to achieve significant time gains. This consistent progress means we are heading into 2026 with real confidence. We know the potential is there, and if we continue with this momentum, we can fight for victory on every type of terrain.

Given your close relationship with Vincent Landais, and considering that Rally2 cars could become capable of competing for the overall title in 2027, does that give you any ideas?

Naturally, seeing the evolution of Rally2 and the discussions surrounding 2027 is inspiring. Observing Vincent's career and what he's experiencing at the highest level is definitely inspiring. But today, my goal is to perform well in WRC2 and contribute as much as possible to Lancia. If Rally2 cars ever become capable of competing for overall victory, then yes, that would be an incredible opportunity. And if I can fight at the highest level, I'll go for it. But that will first and foremost depend on the hard work and results we're going to achieve now.

If there's one rally where you seem to be the favorites, it's Monte Carlo. Do you think a fourth consecutive victory is possible next month?

The Monte Carlo Rally remains a very special event, where experience counts for a great deal. We've already proven our ability to perform in all conditions, and naturally, aiming for a fourth victory is on our minds. However, the Monte Carlo Rally doesn't forgive any mistakes. We'll need to be precise, make smart tire choices, and be able to pick up the pace at the right moment. Putting it all together, yes, I think it's entirely possible. We're arriving motivated, prepared, and eager to continue this great story.

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