The 70th edition of the Rallye du Var delivered high drama from the opening stage to the final finish line, keeping fans on the edge of their seats with thrilling battles across all categories. Amid the excitement, Léo Rossel and Guillaume Mercoiret showcased remarkable composure, capping off their incredible season with a third-place finish that clinched them the coveted 2024 French Rally Championship titles for Driver and Co-Driver. A well-deserved triumph for the PH Sport by Minerva Oil duo!
Adding to the celebrations, PH Sport by Minerva Oil also secured the 2024 French Rally Teams Championship, finishing ahead of the Bonneton HDG – 2C Compétition squad.
While the reigning champions, Yoann Bonato and Benjamin Boulloud, relinquished their crown, they ended the season with an impressive 35th career victory in the French Rally Championship (CFR), a hard-fought win after overcoming the challenges of their earlier crash in the Vosges.
On the second step of the podium, Mathieu Franceschi and Andy Malfoy marked their triumphant return to the CFR. The 2022 French Gravel Champion and 2024 European vice-champion delivered an outstanding performance, including two brilliant stage wins on Sunday morning that helped them claw back over 20 seconds on the overall results leaderboard.
A family legacy of champions
The Rossel brothers continue to etch their names in rally history. Léo’s 2024 French Rally Championship victory mirrors his brother Yohan’s triumph in 2019. Both siblings started as Junior Champions—Léo in 2020 and Yohan in 2014—before climbing to the pinnacle of French rallying.
Key highlights from the Rallye du Var:
- Heartbreak for Camilli and De La Haye: Leading the rally at one point, Éric Camilli and Thibaut De La Haye saw their hopes dashed by a puncture on the treacherous Faron stage (SS6). Despite the setback, their six stage wins throughout the weekend underlined their impressive pace.
- Two-Wheel Drive Champions Crowned: In a close battle between Alpine A110 RGT crews, Cédric Robert and Matthieu Duval emerged victorious over Ludovic Godard and Alexis Maillefert, clinching the French 2WD Championship titles for Driver and Co-Driver.
- Michelin Trophy Glory for Capelli: Thanks to consistent performances throughout the season and a strong second-place finish at Sainte-Maxime, Thomas Capelli claimed the Michelin Amateur Trophy, earning a Rally2 car entry for a CFR round in 2025.
- Under-30 Category Thriller: Despite a puncture in a tight battle with Valentin Ascenzi, Lucas Darmezin edged out his rival by just one point to win the U30 category. His victory secures a 2025 programme supported by Stellantis Motorsport. Meanwhile, Pablo Sarrazin celebrated his first win, taking the top step at Sainte-Maxime.
Driver reactions
Yoann Bonato (Citroën C3 Rally2 – Trajectus Motorsport), Winner: “This victory is immensely satisfying. After our crash in the Vosges, it’s been a step-by-step recovery, and to win here in such challenging conditions and a hard-fought rally feels incredible—almost like reliving my first win. I’m thrilled for Léo and Guillaume on their championship victory. They deserve it and have a bright future ahead. Huge thanks to my team, Trajectus Motorsport, and all our partners who make this possible.”
Mathieu Franceschi (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 – AMD Motorsport), Second Place: “Competing at the Rallye du Var was a surprise for us, made possible by the incredible efforts of our team and partners. While we had moments where the finer details cost us, we truly enjoyed ourselves this morning in tricky conditions. Andy and I kept reminding ourselves how lucky we were to be here. A massive thanks to AMD Motorsport—words aren’t enough to express our gratitude!”
Léo Rossel (Citroën C3 Rally2 – PH Sport by Minerva Oil), Third Place and 2024 Champion: “It’s been an incredible weekend, although the weather today made things tough. Normally, I’m comfortable in these conditions, but the fog and darkness this morning threw me off. I’m extremely proud of what Guillaume and I have achieved over the past two years. We’ve come so far, thanks to the Stellantis promotional cup, Jean-Charles Beaubelique, Minerva Oil, Michelin, and the PH Sport team who gave us the car and support to win this championship.”
Congratulations to all competitors for a spectacular season, and to Léo Rossel and Guillaume Mercoiret for their well-earned titles as the 2024 French Rally Champions!
Rally du Var Overall Results
01: Y. Bonato/B. Boulloud (Citroën C3 Rally2) – 1h 59m 01.9s
02: M. Franceschi/A. Malfoy (Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) + 2.8s
03: L. Rossel/G. Mercoiret (Citroën C3 Rally2) + 4.0s
04: E. Camilli/T. De La Haye (Hyundai i20 N Rally2) + 39.2s
05: A. Fotia/W. Hanocq (Citroën C3 Rally2) + 1m 02.5s
06: L. Pellier/A. Chioso (Hyundai i20 N Rally2) 1m 13.8s
07: F. Todeschini/F. Barral (Citroën C3 Rally2) + 3m 08.9s
08: S. Sarrazin/J-J. Renucci (Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) + 4m 19.8s
09: S. Rumeau/J. Amblard (Ford Fiesta Rally2) + 4m 20.4s
10: A. Von Thurn und Taxis/J. Hain (Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) + 4m 48.7s