ERC
ERC questions answered by… Lucas Zielinski
Lucas Zielinski has made a big impact during his debut FIA ERC3 season at the wheel of a Michelin-equipped Renault Clio Rally3. The French ace answers FIAERC.com’s questions below.
Why did you choose the ERC for 2026? “After winning the Junior class in Clio Trophy France Asphalte to secure an official drive with Alpine Racing, we grabbed the opportunity to step onto the international stage. The ERC quickly stood out as the perfect platform for us on so many levels. The championship’s intensity, the level of competition, especially in ERC3 this season, along with its accessibility and strong exposure for manufacturers and partners, make it the ideal environment to push ourselves and keep developing as a crew with my talented co-driver Ewen. This programme was also made possible thanks to the strong support of Michelin Motorsport.”
What target did you set yourself for this season? “With Ewen, our main objective was to enjoy every moment, be on the start line as often as possible and enjoy the journey at every rally. Of course, the goal was to put everything together and fight for the podium at every event.”
First place in Spain was highly impressive
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What were you hoping to learn from competing in the ERC this year? “We still have a lot to learn, both about the car and rallying at this level in general. The season opener at Rally Sierra Morena was our second event in a Rally3 car, following our debut win at Le Touquet a few weeks before.”
Who’s your rallying hero and why? “Sébastien Loeb, of course. I grew up following all of his achievements, and I’ve always been fascinated by his driving style and the way he takes risks by stepping into new disciplines, yet always manages to perform at the highest level. I had the chance to see him in WRC, then in Porsche Carrera Cup at the Pau circuit in my hometown and later found myself in the shakedown queue with him during my first participation in Rallye Mont-Blanc, which he went on to win with Alpine.”
Season began with debut ERC3 victory in Sierra Morena
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What’s your greatest achievement in rallying/motorsport so far? “To have come back four years after my serious accident in 2020 and win a seat in a junior one-make cup. To never have let go of that dream and now be able to make it a reality by competing this season in the ERC with an official team.”
Looking back to your first rally, when was it and where, what car did you drive and what happened? “My first rally was behind the wheel of a buggy called the Tomahawk in the French Off-Road Rally Championship. It’s a rear-wheel-drive car that’s incredibly fun to drive. We finished third in the 2WD category, which was unexpected, and above all, I fell in love with the sport.”
Pace on gravel was also in evidence during maiden ERC3 bid
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Looking to the future, where do you hope to be in five years? “I truly hope with all my heart to be behind three pedals and a steering wheel… at the highest level of rallying if possible.”
If you weren’t a rally driver, what sport would you like to do? “I would love to be a circuit driver, in something like GT3 or the Porsche Cup. If driving weren’t an option, I’d say competitive freeride skiing.”
When you are not competing what do you do to keep busy? “I spend a lot of time preparing for rallies, both mentally and physically, following specific training programmes. Outside of that, I work as a ski instructor in the Alps during winter and, in summer, I run a Neapolitan pizza truck in the southwest of France. I’m also lucky to have plenty of activities nearby: surfing, cycling, skiing and running”
Leenhardt and Zielinski have formed a winning partnership
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Tell us something interesting about yourself? “I faced two fails at Rallye Jeunes, my crash at Cœur de France, and a crash at the first rally of last season, but I never gave up. It was through all of these challenges that I went on to win the Clio Trophy France Asphalte Junior title, which is kind of the de facto French Junior Championship. I’m a passionate dreamer, turning my dreams into reality one step at a time, never losing sight of where I want to go. I’m also a lucky guy to be so well surrounded and supported in all of these crazy projects”
With the Rally 6 Cities North of Portugal season decider remaining David Auto Compétition-run Zielinski, who is co-driven by Ewen Leenhardt, is fifth in the standings having claimed a victory and two podiums so far in 2026.
