While the double-header
World RX of Türkiye will mark Bossard’s maiden appearance at the highest level
of the dual-surface discipline, he is not a newcomer to the international scene.
Indeed, the 34-year-old Frenchman won the FIA European Rallycross Championship
Super1600 (now Euro RX3) round on home soil at Lohéac in 2014, adding to his
domestic title in the same category from four years earlier, when he tallied
eight consecutive triumphs.
Following that Euro RX
success, Bossard took a decade-long break from competition, before rejoining
the fray this year behind the wheel of a Hyundai i20 in the French
Championship’s headlining Supercar division. He would confound predictions
season-long.
Seven podium finishes
from nine outings – including a brace of
victories – saw the Toulouse native lift the laurels in style, as he delivered
PGRX its second national title in as many years. And now, around the demanding
Istanbul Park Circuit, he is preparing to measure himself against rallycross’ crème
de la crème.
“Just a few days after
winning my first French Championship Supercar title, the opportunity to compete
in the final rounds of the World RX season is huge,” Bossard enthused. “We’ve
been working hard for more than two weeks to finalise the budget.
“I’ll be the most
inexperienced driver on the grid as all my rivals have been competing
internationally for several seasons, so I’m well aware my task will be far from
easy but I’m really looking forward to it. Although I’ve competed in Euro RX
several times, this will be my first World Championship start, so it will be a
special moment, for sure.”
Confirming PGRX’s
dominance in the French series this year, Rytkönen backed Bossard up by
finishing second in the standings courtesy of a pair of late-season successes.
Unlike his team-mate, the Finn already has form in World RX, having produced a
stunning performance to clinch the runner-up spoils at Kouvola in 2020 – behind
only Johan Kristoffersson – prior to making five further appearances the
following campaign.
“I’m very excited to be
back in the FIA World Rallycross Championship,” remarked the former Finnish
champion. “I’ve been hoping for an opportunity like this for a long time.
“I’ve been lucky enough
to achieve some good results in World RX in the past and I have some great
memories of those events. Having spent most of my season in France, where the
rhythm was very intense in the Supercar category, I feel mentally ready for
this challenge.
“Now, we’ll have to get
used to the specifics of World RX with different tyres and fuel. One thing is
for sure – the new tyres will be our biggest challenge. I’ve already had a
chance to test them and they’re nothing like what we’re used to. There will be
a lot of adjustments to make, both in terms of set-up and driving, but I have
full confidence in the PGRX team. They have real know-how and a desire to
succeed, so anything is possible...”
Spain
Hungary
Portugal