2024-11-25 08:00:00
At the age of 27, Léo Rossel became French rally champion. The reward for an exemplary season for the Gard driver.
A third place “only”, but all the happiness in the world. In the Var, Léo Rossel did not know how to win until the end. But the main thing is elsewhere for the Gard pilot : at 27, he is French rally champion. “I am very proud of what we have achieved with Guillaume Mercoiret (his co-driver, editor’s note) in 2 years, we have progressed enormously. »
A progression which allowed Léo Rossel to live a full year. Winner at Le Touquet, in the Vosges, at the Rallye Cœur de France and at the Critérium des Cévennes, the Gard driver impressed with his consistency throughout the season. At least that was necessary to end the reign of Yoann Bonato, five-time French champion, winner in the Var, but too narrow for the 2024 title.
A future on a global level?
“I am really delighted that Léo and Guillaume won the title: they are young people who deserve their victory, I wish them the best for the future. A big congratulations to them »explains Yoann Bonato, a fine player. Between the two men, the fight was magnificent, restoring interest to a French rally championship that has often fallen into oblivion in recent years.
For Léo Rossel, the future remains to be written. The Gard driver will undoubtedly be keen to defend his crown in 2025 against a vengeful Yoann Bonato. For the PH Sport by Minerva Oil driver, 2025 could also be the opportunity to have some experiences on the international scene, why not in WRC2… or even in WRC?
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#Rally #Léo #Rossel #emergence #future #great
– How did Léo Rossel maintain consistency throughout the season to secure his championship title?
**Interview with Léo Rossel: Celebrating His Victory as French Rally Champion**
*Interviewer:* Léo, congratulations on becoming the French rally champion at just 27 years old! It must feel incredible to achieve this after such a remarkable season.
*Léo Rossel:* Thank you! It feels amazing to finally call myself the champion. This title is the result of a lot of hard work and dedication, not just from me but from my entire team, especially my co-driver, Guillaume Mercoiret. We’ve made great strides together over the last two years.
*Interviewer:* Your consistency this year seems to have been a key factor in your success. You managed to secure wins in several rallies, including Le Touquet and the Critérium des Cévennes. What do you attribute this consistency to?
*Léo Rossel:* I think it comes down to our ability to learn and adapt quickly. Every rally teaches you something, and I’ve focused on applying those lessons directly. The support from my team and our preparation before each event were crucial. We set goals that pushed us, and it really paid off.
*Interviewer:* You finished third in the final rally at the Var, which was a tense moment. Can you tell us what you were feeling during that race?
*Léo Rossel:* Honestly, it was nerve-wracking! I didn’t know how everything would pan out until the very end. But I reminded myself that I had a buffer in points that could secure the championship even with a lower finish. Still, I wanted to perform well, of course. Ultimately, crossing the finish line knowing I had done enough to clinch the title was euphoric.
*Interviewer:* You’ve managed to dethrone Yoann Bonato, a five-time champion. How does it feel to take the title from someone who has dominated the sport recently?
*Léo Rossel:* It’s an honor to be able to compete at this level with someone as accomplished as Yoann. He’s been an inspiration, and I respect all that he’s achieved. But I also knew that if I wanted to be a champion, I had to bring my A-game every time I hit the track. Winning this championship makes all those efforts worthwhile.
*Interviewer:* What’s next for you after this triumph? Any specific goals for the upcoming season?
*Léo Rossel:* I’m definitely looking to build on this success and aim for more wins next season. It’s important to stay humble but also ambitious. I want to continue improving and maybe even explore opportunities in other championships. The journey never ends!
*Interviewer:* Thank you for your time, Léo, and once again, congratulations on your championship!
*Léo Rossel:* Thank you! I appreciate the support and look forward to exciting races ahead!
