Didier Auriol returns to WRC: “I would like to go back a little”

Scheduled from November 21 to 24, the rally Japan is fast approaching. The last event of the 2024 season promises to be captivating since several crowns (Constructors, Drivers/Co-drivers, WRC2) will be awarded there. It will also be the opportunity to see Didier Auriol again on a round of the WRC, which he has not done since Monte-Carlo 2005 (on a Peugeot 206 WRC of the Bozian team). Forty years after his debut at this level (on R5 Turbo in Corsica), thirty years after his world champion title at the wheel of a Toyota Celica, 152 starts, 53 podiums including 20 victories, what can still motivate him?

« I remain interested in everything that happens in this environment., he explains. I often discuss it with Denis Giraudet who tells me about his adventures. I regularly receive proposals for different operations. I don't say yes to everything. I know the organizers of Rouergue well. It's also an event that I won (3 times. Ed.) and it's in my region, so I'm happy to go there. With Denis, we went to compete in the Rallye du Maroc Historique in April. This was done in a Ford Escort prepared by my brother-in-law. Every time I do something, pleasure must prevail. In Morocco, it was doing it as a family with Denis and a nice car. There, for Japan, there is the attraction of the country, of doing it in a Toyota