Rossel heads all- French Junior battle
Frenchman holds Junior WRC lead on home event
Gilbert closes on Junior crown
Quentin Gilbert closed on the FIA Junior WRC title after taking control of the category during Saturday’s second leg of the Tour de Corse - Rallye de France.
Gilbert won both special stages in Citroën’s DS 3 R3-MAX to climb from third to first and starts Sunday’s final leg with a 24.7sec advantage over Yohan Rossel. Terry Folb is a further 9.3sec behind in third.
“I drove a bit faster this morning as I was too cautious yesterday. We made a good tyre choice this morning with hard rubber on the front. We were in third position with nothing to lose if it wasn’t the right choice. It paid off and I made a good time in the long stage,” said Gilbert.
“We need to focus on our rhythm tomorrow. With no service available, we need to keep away from problems. And if we need to slow down to take 18 or 15 points to clinch the championship, then we’ll do it.”
Leg 1 leader Rossel conceded his advantage to Folb in the opening stage after a puncture. Brake problems hindered him further in the last stage, but Folb had handling issues and fell back to third as Gilbert took advantage with a time 12sec faster than anyone else.
Ole Christian Veiby retained fourth, with Jordan Berfa and Pierre-Louis Loubet completing the top six after Jean-Philippe Martini dropped five minutes with a puncture in the opening test.
Charlotte Dalmasso retired in the final stage after breaking a front wheel in a cut and will not restart tomorrow.
