ROMA (ITALPRESS) – The last round of the FIA World Rally Championship season ends with an unlucky result. A difficult ending, in a rally that has been confirmed among the most selective of the entire calendar, but that has however offered important indications on the potential of the Lancia Ypsilon Rally2 HF Integrale, in particular through the performance of the very young Pablo Sarrazin. At only 20 years old, the French driver has confirmed for the whole weekend a rhythm of absolute relief. After a compelling start, Sarrazin won the best time in WRC2 on the SS2, immediately demonstrating that he could compete with the protagonists of the category. His step remained constant even in subsequent tests, until the withdrawal on the SS8 which interrupted an extremely positive race. Also in the last day Sarrazin continued to maintain perfectly aligned times to those of the best interpreters of the WRC2, confirming not only its growth, but also the level of competitiveness achieved by the Ypsilon Rally2 HF Integral on the demanding Sardinian dirt, culminated in the second time in the WRC in the final Power Stage. The Rally Italia Sardegna was particularly complicated for Lèo Rossel. After one of the most spectacular jumps of the race, on the SS2 his Ypsilon Rally2 HF Integrale landed violently, forcing the crew to retire. Rossel subsequently returned thanks to the Super Rally, but the back pain charged by his navigator made a new stop necessary. Double withdrawal also for Conner Martell, forced to stop on the second day after hitting a tree on the SS2. Back in the race, the young American had to stop his participation again after the SS12. The weekend also represented an important first experience for Stefano Avandero, who faced his first kilometers behind the wheel of the Lancia Ypsilon Rally2 HF Integrale maintaining a good pace on the difficult and technical dirt roads of Sardinia. Beyond a particularly unfortunate Italian Rally, the season finale offers the opportunity to look at the route completed by the Ypsilon Rally2 HF Integral in its first year in the FIA WRC. The car has demonstrated competitiveness on all the different funds faced during the season, growing progressively through the experience accumulated in the rallies on asphalt and on earth and managing several times to fight at the top of the WRC2. A journey culminated in Paraguay with the conquest of the WRC2 Teams’ World Championship, a historical result that certified the level reached by the Lancia Corse HF project just a year after the official return of the House in the World Rally. Sardinia therefore closes a season that has represented much more than a simple return to the competitions: it was the first stage of a development and growth path of the Ypsilon Rally2 HF Integrale, able to provide important indications and results of absolute importance during the entire championship. “It was a weekend with our two young people, Pablo and Lèo – said Didier Clèment – Team Principal, Lancia Corse HF –. Pablo was constantly in the top positions for the whole rally and, despite a small technical problem and a puncture, he clearly demonstrated to have the step to fight for the podium, in a race with a particularly high level of competitiveness. It was a very encouraging performance on your part. For Lèo, however, the weekend was unfortunately more complicated. A heavy landing after a jump damaged the car and shortened their first day. The crew tried to restart the next day, but the backache of his copilot, followed by a puncture Sunday morning, finally ended their rally. In terms of results, therefore, it was a weekend from the counterbalances, but the performance was very positive. Both crews showed an excellent speed and a concrete potential, although the race episodes did not allow them to transform this pace into the results they would deserve. It is an element that allows us to look at the next season with great optimism”, he concluded.
– Stellantis press office photos –(ITALPRESS).
