Portugal: Mixed fortunes for the Tricolores in Portugal

If Mattéo Chatillon and Jean-Michel Raoux stood out in their respective categories, the other French people had more difficulty. In particular, there were several exits from the road.

Published 14/05/2024 à 18:54

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Portugal: Mixed fortunes for the Tricolores in Portugal

Gjhuvanni Rossi left Portugal having made progress with his Clio Rally3 (Photo: Nikos Katikis/DPPI)

In Porto, besides Sébastien Ogier et Adrien fourmaux who raced in Rally1, the other French competed in WRC2 and WRC3. Having Rally2, Pierre-Louis Loubet (Fabia RS), Pierre Lafay (C3) and Patrick Déjean (Fiesta R5) did not finish. They all went off the road, the last city being unlucky enough for this to happen in the final special of the rally (SS22) a few kilometers from the finish.

Associated with Charlyne Quartini, Pierre Lafay was 20th in WRC2 when he retired after leaving the road (Photo: Paulo Maria/DPPI)

Among the 4 crews who made the trip in WRC3, Tom Pieri was among the fastest. Although new to the event, the 25-year-old driver set two best times then led the category during 3 SS (SS4 to SS6). The demonstration ended with an impressive exit completed on the roof in SS7.

Tristan Charpentier managed to keep smiling in Portugal despite problems (Photo: Paulo Maria/DPPI)

Moving one step below Mattéo Chatillon, Tristan Charpentier confirmed that he is not the luckiest driver on the grid. First the author of a slow roll in the shakedown, he then had to retire due to three punctures on Friday (SS7). Previously, the 23-year-old Northerner who had never driven a Rally3 on gravel had still posted promising times. Setting off again on Saturday, he proved his skills with several interesting times (2^e SS16) finishing 6^e. " After Croatia, we still lacked successhe explained. Despite everything, I am satisfied with the performances that we were able to achieve with Florian (Barral his co-pilot). Coming from the circuit, I find it encouraging. »

Also discovering Portugal, Ghjuvanni Rossi left Porto with mixed feelings. “ I found this rally difficult, he admitted. We had a puncture and we covered a whole stage on the rim. We also twisted another one. The car was not very well adjusted in terms of the chassis. After being shaken a lot during the first two stages, we finally understood during the last day. We were hoping for a better result, but we took points and it was a lot of fun. It was legendary. » Chatillon, Pieri and Rossi will be on deck again in WRC3 in Sardinia (May 30-June 2) for the 6^e round of the championship.