Tuesday | 06 Oct 2015

Gilbert: Junior title 'a dream come true'

Quentin Gilbert says his FIA Junior WRC title win has only started to sink in, two days after he secured the most prestigious prize for young rally drivers at Tour de Corse - Rally de France.

The 26-year-old Frenchman and his co-driver Renaud Jamoul wrapped up the title when victory in Corsica in their DS 3 R3-MAX gave them an unassailable lead with two rounds left to go.

It was Gilbert's fourth win from five events this season, and an achievement that puts him in an exclusive club of former Junior Champions that includes Sébastien Loeb and Sébastien Ogier.

“It’s an incredible feeling and a dream come true,” said Gilbert. “At the finish of the rally I didn’t quite realise what had happened. I was too focused on our performance during the weekend.

"The day after I began to get to grips with it because of all the messages of congratulations I’ve been receiving. I’ve already won rallies, promotional formulas, etc. but they’ve got nothing in common with the impact of the world title. I’m proud of what Renaud, myself and the whole DG Sport team have accomplished.

“We’ve done a huge amount of work this season to achieve this result,” Quentin continued. “It’s a reward for all the people involved in this project. To win such legendary events as the Monte Carlo, Portugal, Finland and the Tour of Corsica, world championship monuments, is just unbelievable."

Gilbert's prize is a programme in the WRC 2 world championship next season in a DS 3 R5 with the backing of Citroën Racing. Before that, he will contest the contest the RallyRACC Catalunya – Costa Daurada in Spain (22-25 October) the last of the six events on his Junior calendar.

"The team has given us a DS 3 R3-MAX that’s always been quick. Now we’re going to Spain to finish the job in a blaze of glory before thinking about the 2016 season," he added.

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