Lancia has declared its maiden WRC2 victory in Croatia as an “distinctive end result” on its second begin since rejoining the World Rally Championship after an absence of greater than three many years.
The Italian producer, which holds a report 10 WRC producers’ titles, has made its lengthy awaited return to the WRC this 12 months by means of the second tier WRC2 class. Lancia’s earlier manufacturing unit involvement within the WRC got here to finish after the 1992 season.
After a difficult debut in Monte Carlo in January that resulted in its pair of manufacturing unit backed Ypsilon Rally2 vehicles, piloted by Yohan Rossel and Nikolay Gryazin each crashing out early, Lancia served actual tempo with its WRC2 automotive in Croatia, ending fourth general.
Yohan Rossel, Arnaud Dunand, Lancia Corse HF Lancia Ypsilon Rally2 HF Integrale
Picture by: Luca Barsali – NurPhoto – Getty Pictures
Regardless of the difficult highway circumstances, Rossel produced a faultless drive to victory in WRC2. The end result was Lancia’s finest since Alex Fiorio’s run to fourth on the 1994 Acropolis Rally Greece, whereas the final time Lancia tasted a victory of any variety within the WRC arrived in 1992 when Andrea Aghini triumphed at Rally Sanremo.
To additional define the credentials of the newly developed Ypsilon HF Integrale, Gryazin fought again from dropping floor to a unfastened turbo enhance pipe to say third in WRC2.
Yohan Rossel, Arnaud Dunand, Lancia Corse HF Lancia Ypsilon Rally2 HF Integrale
Picture by: Massimo Bettiol – Getty Pictures
“Following a particularly encouraging Monte Carlo Rally, the place drivers Yohan Rossel and Nikolay Gryazin demonstrated their tempo and the confirmed effectiveness of the Lancia Ypsilon Rally2 HF Integrale, each drivers managed this weekend to navigate the pitfalls to attain an distinctive end result,” mentioned Lancia Corse group principal Didier Clement.
“The victory for Yohan Rossel and Arnaud Dunand and the excellent third place for Nikolay Gryazin and Konstantin Aleksandrov present us that, by way of efficiency, a one-two end was assured.
“Sadly, a minor technical problem, shortly resolved, noticed Nikolay drop to 3rd place on the rostrum, however in any case, the tempo is there and the reliability is there. And this bodes effectively for the remainder of the season, with the Canary Islands Rally developing in lower than per week. We’re pleased with our two crews.”
What it means to usher in a brand new Lancia period
Nikolay Gryazin Konstantin Aleksandrov, Lancia Corse HF Lancia Ypsilon HF
Picture by: Federico Manoni / NurPhoto through Getty Pictures
The historical past books will eternally state that Rossel led Lancia again to the highest step of a WRC podium.
It’s a feat that’s not misplaced on the Frenchman, who now joins the likes of legendary former manufacturing unit Lancia drivers, together with Miki Biasion, Juha Kankkunen, Markku Alen and Walter Rohrl, who scored wins for the marque.
“It’s been a improbable rally, for us and for the group. We knew that Lancia’s ambition this 12 months was to come back again strongly within the WRC,” mentioned Rossel.
“After Monte Carlo it was a bit troublesome for me, because it wasn’t the end result I used to be anticipating, however right here in Croatia, at this second spherical, every little thing was excellent.
“It is good. Originally of the 12 months when Lancia confirmed its return I did so many interviews with Italian guys and it was loopy to see the eagerness. I’m joyful for the Italian guys, the French guys at Stellantis and the group. We’re again and let’s have a look at what we are able to do in two weeks [in the Canary Islands].”
Yohan Rossel, Arnaud Dunand, Lancia Corse HF Lancia Ypsilon Rally2 HF Integrale
Picture by: Federico Manoni / NurPhoto through Getty Pictures
Rossel was fast to reward the work carried out by the Stellantis Group to develop the Ypsillon right into a WRC2 rally successful machine in solely its second begin.
“In a short while, everybody has pushed so much to be prepared. The plan is to remain in my place, to push behind the steering wheel, and we have to proceed,” he added.
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