Barjacois Pablo Sarrazin wants to make a name for himself. – BASTIEN ROUX
While he is only 19 years old, Pablo Sarrazin will be at the start of the Monte Carlo rally (January 23-26) in the WRC2 world championship.
Barjacois Pablo Sarrazin, a hopeful of the French rally, will be at the start of the Monte Carlo in less than three weeks (January 23-26). He will be at the wheel of a Citroën C3 Rally2, as part of the very high-level world championship2 (WRC2).
With seven WRC2 rounds on the programme, including five on asphalt, and the same number on gravel in the French championship, Pablo can make a name for himself as early as 2025. The day after Christmas, the eldest of the three Sarrazin sons, who had joined the French team, was already eagerly considering the start in Monaco.
When did you choose motorsport?
Very young, obviously. How could it be otherwise with a father who was a famous driver and my grandfather René, who also had his moment of glory. I started karting at a young age in the Rossel family structure, with Yohan and Léo who were my coaches, but also Jean-Charles, their father. I get along very well with them.
Why the rally ?
I didn't go straight into this discipline even though I took the first start of a rally in Latvia at 15. To learn the basics of driving, I think you have to go through the circuit first. So I drove in Formula 4 in the French and then Spanish championships.
What do you remember from the season that just ended? ?
It's very positive. I finished first junior in the Stellantis Cup, I won the last round. At the same time, I reached the podium of the Terre de Vaucluse. For my debut with a Rally2, I signed my first scratch in SS.
And you made sparks at the Dévoluy rally, in mid-December, for your debut with the C3…
200% Deposit Bonus up to €3,000 180% First Deposit Bonus up to $20,000Exactly. In SS1, very snowy, I am in front of the 2 WRC1s of Fourmaux and Rovanperä. But I go off the road, in the rain, on a mistake of notes. I have the top speed, now I have to manage the errors!
How do you end up in WRC2 at 19 years old ?
I am incredibly lucky to be Stéphane Sarrazin's son. We are very close and he is an outstanding teacher. In 2022, I joined the KCMG team, which supported my father in rallying. Gwen Lagrue (F1 Mercedes Academy) is sharing her extensive experience with me. Iron Linx was looking for another driver, I was in the right team at the right time. Geoffrey Combe, my co-driver, is a good one. 2025 will be the year to learn, 2026 to perform.
And studies ? Camille, your mother, is keeping a close eye on this…
She was a little worried at first but she sees that it's going well. I'm doing a BTS course in SME management, in work-study.
The entourage is important ?
We are three brothers and we get along well. I am the eldest. Jules who is 16 years old is passionate about football, Lucien, 8 years old, wants everything: to be a professional footballer, a driver… Our life is totally focused on motorsport to reach the highest level and my loved ones are fully behind me.
Finally, what are your qualities and your faults?
I never give up and I stay calm when the situation gets complicated. One of my faults is wanting to manage too much information at the same time…
His father Stéphane finds Citroën
Double French karting champion, Volant Elf, vice-champion of France F3 in 1997 with LD Autosport, Stéphane Sarrazin (49 years old) was a test driver at Prost Grand Prix then Toyota. He took part in a Formula 1 Grand Prix in a Minardi in 1999 in Brazil.
The Alésien is a double LMP1 world champion (Peugeot 908) and has finished 2nd in the 24 Hours of Le Mans three times (with Peugeot and Toyota). In rallying, he is the 2004 French champion (Subaru WRC) and was an official Subaru driver in WRC (2005, 2006).
A test driver for the DS3 at Citroën, he returns to the brand with the chevrons this season and will manage at least five C3 Rally2s, including four for Sarah Rumeau and Pablo (two in the asphalt version, two in the gravel version).