Strong 2024 ERC season just for starters, says Franceschi

In only his second campaign outside his native France, Franceschi landed three ERC podiums and seven stage wins on his way to finishing runner-up in the final standings behind two-time champion Hayden Paddon.  

The 25-year-old, who was shortlisted for the ERC Most Improved Driver award, is now working on his options for next year with an ERC title bid under discussion.  

“It’s maybe too early to speak about this,” said the Michelin-equipped driver. “But for sure we have some projects. We speak to the team but one of the projects is to be back to try to win. I hope before the end of the year we find something.  

“ERC is a really nice championship, we can run with all the best drivers in Europe and the atmosphere is important for me. Next to the stages everybody has respect and we can enjoy with all the drivers. In some championships you can have difficult moments with all the drivers. ERC is really nice to learn and be stronger and enjoy the moment.”

Looking back on the 2024 ERC season, which he contested in an AMD Motorsport Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 alongside co-driver Andy Malfoy, Franceschi said: “Like in every season you have some bad and good points. For us we know which points I have to work on during the winter break to be able to be in a real fight for the championship in the future. We can see in difficult conditions we sometimes have no speed. But it was a really nice season, only my second outside France so a lot of things are still new.   

“I try to learn quickly but sometimes I need more time. But it’s cool to finish second and I want to thank Michelin for sure because with their tyres we can be competitive in all the races and all my partners and all the people around me.”   

Asked what moment mattered most in 2024, Franceschi said: “The first podium in Hungary after the roll and a lot best [stage] times. It was an incredible start to the season. All the start of the season was amazing until the Power Stage in Sweden when you push and sometimes it’s too much.”