Quentin, how did you get your start in rallying?
When I was a kid, my father took me to local rallies, and immediately I loved it. My passion only grew over the years. We were spectators at all the local events, and then I started taking photos. When I was sixteen, my father bought a Clio Williams, and we did our first rally together. Of course, I was his co-driver before he handed over the steering wheel when I was eighteen.

What happened next?
For my first rally behind the wheel, the Sarrians Rally, my father was to be my co-driver, but we realised during the recce that it wasn’t going to work! I had to find someone else, it had snowed, and we set the eighth fastest time on a stage. We realized there might be more potential in the driver’s seat than in the codriver’s seat. I was already driving a Renault, first with a Clio Williams, then a Clio Ragnotti. I then did two seasons in the French Cup, where we reached the final in 2014, before switching to several feeder series from 2015. In 2019, I took on the French Junior Rally Championship, then the Clio Trophy France Terre in 2021.

What did you learn over the years?
I have gained a lot of experience on both tarmac and gravel. We know all the rallies on both surfaces. I have been racing for three years with Mélissa Declerck by my side, which has also enabled me to find the final tenths and the consistency that I was lacking. We were not that successful, but it all came together in 2021.

Why choose gravel over asphalt?
Let’s just say it’s my favourite surface. When I discovered gravel in 2016, I immediately realised that I had more fun on this surface. My driving was instantly more instinctive. I second-guessed myself less, unlike on asphalt where, for example, I overthought the settings. Gravel seems more natural to me, and the Clio Trophy France Terre was the perfect opportunity to aim for a maiden title.

However, there was stiff competition from Jean Paul Monnin and John Laroche…
The competition raised our game and has made us better. Some of my former rivals are now on the European or world scene. It has all added to the experience and has helped me understand things better, push my limits and see that I can still improve on every rally.

From the outside, your pairing with Melissa seems unique. What is the recipe for success?
Our personalities are different. I’m shy while she is outgoing, but I think that’s exactly why our partnership works. We don’t need to talk to one another to understand one another. The feeling was there from the first time we worked together at the Antibes Rally in 2019. I was keen to have a female co-driver because I had the feeling that this could give me that little extra something that I was missing. It was the right decision. Mélissa brings me serenity and she has taught me to trust myself. I had a bit of trouble believing in my abilities. I tended to become demotivated at the slightest hitch, but she always encouraged me to keep pushing. She gives me the right balance in the car.

What was the highlight of your campaign?
It’s hard to name just one. There was our victory at the beginning of the season at the Castine Rally. We led from start to finish without any problems, and that first win was somewhat of a relief. Knowing that we could do it changed our outlook. We took the same approach on the other rallies, and the confidence came easier. Another highlight was a puncture on the last stage of an event. I was ready to stop and change the wheel, even if it meant not winning, but Melissa convinced me to continue to the finish. And rightly so, as we managed to win and seal the Junior title!

The two-wheel-drive national title was the icing on the cake…
We were delighted to win this rather unexpected title as we had only focused on the Clio Trophy France Terre. After the final at Cardabelles, we saw that we were in a good position so we decided to take on the challenge. We managed our race with our main competitors to seal the title. It was the culmination of a truly perfect season with BHR, 3P Racing, Melissa, our partners and Renault, which made it possible for us to enter the final round. I would also like to thank the team who did a lot to make sure we could race this year. It is such a pleasure to have people like Patrick Magaud and Patrice Fabre offering us the programme we had in 2021. I am immensely grateful to them, as I am to Bastien Héron, his mechanics and David Bertrand, who allowed us to develop in fantastic conditions.

How are you approaching the start of your official programme with Clio Rally4?
I am confident. I didn’t know Jeremy and the Fun Meca Sport team, but everyone spoke highly of them, and we got to know each other during the off-season. We share the same vision, and we will do our utmost to demonstrate the car’s potential and get excellent results!

Did you target any areas for improvement during the winter?
Of course, there is always room for improvement. I know, for example, that I tend to be too careful in certain sections for fear of getting a puncture, so I need to free up my driving a little in the more challenging sectors. This year, we won’t have to ask ourselves any more questions to succeed and demonstrate the capacities of Clio Rally4!