Franceschi’s ERC birthday treat provides another boost

Stepping up to the FIA European Rally Championship for 2023 as the French gravel champion, Franceschi has been growing in stature aboard his Michelin-equipped AMD Motorsport Škoda Fabia Rally2 Evo.

“It was a really good rally,” Franceschi said after the final stage in Poland on 21 May. “First of all it’s my favourite rally on the calendar so it’s nice to see the finish line and we can see a lot of good things for the future. We have a good speed, sometimes less, sometimes more, and we will see if we can be more strong. But I have a special gift because today is my birthday and I take my first points on the Power Stage, so I am happy.”

He continued: “Poland for me has the best stages in the world. In France we don’t have these fast sections and the jumps. In France if we take the fifth gear it’s cool but in Poland we are all the time in fifth gear so it’s why I love this rally. I just tried to be clean and do my best. And finally it’s cool to have some [Power Stage] points.”

With Jules Escartefigue co-driving, Franceschi set four top five stage times in Poland. “This result was really good because we discover everything with the team, so we need to be focused on our race and we try to do our best all the time. To have this result is a good thing and to have points on the Power Stage is incredible for us so it’s a lot of good things for the future and I am looking forward to Liepāja.”

While Franceschi had previous Rally Poland experience dating back to 2021, Tet Rally Liepāja, which takes place in Latvia from 16 - 18 June, represents unchartered territory for the Frenchman.