Hugo, first of all, how are you? And why did this shock to the collarbone following an exit from the road during a practice session keep you away from the French championship for so long?
Now everything is fine, thank you. I did my rehabilitation. And I have even just resumed my work as a mason which was put on hold this year to devote myself fully to rallies. It turns out that the three surgeons consulted did not want to operate on me. Initially, we were counting on a month and a half of downtime. So I was hopeful of restarting after the summer break at Mont-Blanc. But the bone was so displaced that the consolidation took much longer than expected.
For you, this is the second setback in two seasons. Has the idea of giving up on motorsport at 28 crossed your mind?
Oh yes, and not just once! Compared to 2023 (first lumbar vertebra fractured in a violent crash at the Rallye Cœur de France, he missed the last two rounds, editor's note)it was harder to live with because various problems, financial and personal, were added. I agonized quite a bit, champing at the bit for four months. But returning to work allowed me to start a positive dynamic.
When did the green light come on for this new start at home?
Quite late. The CHL Sport Auto team validated our participation just before the closing of entries (Monday November 11). At one point I was supposed to drive the development car as an opener in place of Dani Sordo who is going to Rally Japan that same weekend. Finally, it is Kris Meeke who will carry out this full-scale test with number 0. Suddenly, we get back into racing mode. But not in the best conditions. I will get back behind the wheel during the “shakedown” this Thursday at Gassin, without any preparatory driving beforehand.
At Sainte-Maxime, in 2022, you finished second. Same during the Vosges-Grand Est, your last race this year. Does Hugo Margaillan sign immediately to obtain the same result this Sunday?
Phew, it would be a miracle to finish second! (laughs) I sign, yeah… To be honest, the objective here is to find my feelings again. On Friday, there is no doubt that it will take a little time to get your bearings. Especially since it is the openers from last season who are returning to support us on this occasion. Let's start by tuning our violins as quickly as possible. And then we'll see if there's a way to end the year on a good note.
The Hyundai i20 continues to suffer a little from comparison with the Citroën C3. What is it missing to truly compete?
The engine development implemented in the spring took it a step further. Now, the chassis part needs to progress. The ground connections, the differentials… Development is focused on that now. A work which should lead to new optimizations next year. Hoping they work…
You were born in 1996, four years after the Rallye du Var last passed through Mont-Faron. Happy to finally discover this famous special event?
Imagine that I was born right next door, at Sainte-Anne hospital. And from 0 to 3 years old, I grew up in a villa bordering the corniche, at the foot of Faron, even if I don't remember it. And then I heard so much about it. Looking at the photos from the time, the videos, it was inspiring. I didn't imagine for a moment that the rally would come back there. Bravo to the ASAC du Var! It's cool. I can't wait to experience this. Especially the last two kilometers!
