France will definitely be very well represented in WRC2 next year. After the announcement of the programs of Sarah Rumeau and Pablo Sarrazin, supported by Iron Lynx and Citroën Racing under the Sarrazin Motorsport structure, the chevron brand reveals the identity of its official crews. If Yohan Rossel was recently sent to WRC1, to M-Sport in particular, this will not be the case and the 2021 WRC3 world champion has signed up for an additional season at Satory. Note the return to his side of Arnaud Dunand, with whom he notably won the 2024 Monte-Carlo Rally, and who had chosen to leave his place during the season. The crew will logically aim for the WRC2 title.
The beautiful story will be written on both sides of the PH Sport structure, which will welcome the official Citroëns, since Yohan Rossel will be joined by his little brother Léo. With this double family signature, Citroën Racing has secured the services of two of the best French drivers on asphalt. Léo Rossel will focus on continuity and continue the adventure with his co-driver Guillaume Mercoiret.
Seven rounds on the program
If the presence of the Rossel siblings at the Monte-Carlo Rally is assured, the sporting program of the two crews is not yet fully defined. Six additional rallies each should be allocated to them, together or not, to continue learning about the major events of the World Cup. Historical partner of Yohan Rossel, Yacco is embarking on the adventure and the two Gard drivers will wear the colors of the French lubricant. The presence of the Rossel brothers at Citroën de facto excludes Nikolay Gryazin, who had worn the colors of the French manufacturer in 2024. We should find the Russian, racing under a Bulgarian license, on a Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 from Team Toksport. Finally, note that the next Ronde du Jura, organized on January 3-4, could see one or the other of the C3 Rally2s evolve. A perfect opportunity to test Hankook tires on snow and ice, the South Korean manufacturer equipping all WRC cars from Monte-Carlo for at least three seasons.
From the bottom of the ladder
By bringing Yohan and Léo Rossel to the World Cup, Stellantis Motorsport proves the quality of its sector. Both winners of their different promotion formulas in recent years in France – Citroën Racing Trophy in 2016 and Volant Peugeot in 2018 for Yohan, Stellantis Motorsport Rally Cup in 2022 for Léo – the two brothers won everything to climb the ranks. This double promotion is also a success for the FFSA: Yohan won the Youth Rally selections in 2013, when Léo won the French Junior Rally Championship in 2020. Two pure products of the French team whose mission will be to raise their colors to the highest level on the international scene in 2025.
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