FRANCE: TRISTAN CHARPENTIER RALLY2 ERC: FRENCH DRIVER STEPS UP WITH ORSÁK RALLY SPORT

For Tristan Charpentier: a Bold European Rally Season Begins

Tristan Charpentier Rally2 ERC marks a thrilling new chapter for the French driver in European motorsport.

After two seasons in Rally3, Tristan Charpentier now moves higher. In 2026, he enters Rally2 with ambition, discipline and speed.

The French professional racing driver will compete with Orsák Rally Sport, the Czech team also linked to WRC2 campaigns.

He will drive a Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 with Michelin tyres.

Moreover, Charpentier begins this new phase with co-driver Loris Pascaud, an experienced French navigator. Pascaud has previously worked with names such as Pierre-Louis Loubet.

Together, they form a new French duo ready to face one of Europe’s most demanding rally environments.

A Father’s Steady Presence Behind the Rally Dream

Behind Tristan Charpentier’s speed, there is also a powerful story. His father, Civil Diplomat Walter Charpentier, has followed this journey with deep pride and unwavering devotion.

Walter Charpentier leads TWV Group and has supported innovation in European heavy-duty transport. He also remains a constant presence in Tristan’s motorsport journey. From the search for sponsorship to the emotion of each rally weekend, Walter has stood beside his son with constant support.

His presence reflects the quiet strength of a father who believes, encourages and celebrates every step of the road. In that bond, motorsport becomes more than competition. It becomes legacy, courage and love in motion.

This family connection gives the story an additional human dimension. Behind the speed, there is commitment, support and a shared passion for performance.

From Rally3 Success to Rally2 Ambition

Tristan Charpentier arrives in Rally2 after a strong 2025 season in ERC3. Last year, he achieved three podiums, including a victory at Rally Sierra Morena in Spain.

That win became a defining moment in his rally career. It also gave his return to Sierra Morena extra emotional weight.

In 2025, he finished fourth in ERC3 and third in the ERC Fiesta Rally3 Trophy. Therefore, his move to Rally2 comes with clear momentum.

However, Charpentier does not approach this new challenge with empty confidence. Instead, he focuses on learning the car and gaining pace.

He has described the ERC as a strong championship for a first year in Rally2. The level is high, and the tyre competition adds another technical layer.

A New Car, a New Co-Driver and a Bigger Stage

The step from Rally3 to Rally2 changes everything. The car demands more precision, stronger braking control and sharper reading of every stage.

Before starting his ERC programme, Charpentier and Pascaud tested their partnership in the Czech Republic. They contested the Kowax Valašská Rally ValMez and finished 13th after several punctures.

Even so, the event gave them valuable mileage in the Škoda Fabia RS Rally2. It also helped them understand their working rhythm inside the car.

Charpentier has expressed excitement about joining Škoda and Orsák Rally Sport. He also highlighted the strength of his package with Loris Pascaud, Michelin and the Rally2 machinery.

The FIA European Rally Championship Challenge

The FIA European Rally Championship, known as ERC, remains one of rallying’s most historic continental stages. It brings drivers across asphalt, gravel and intense European landscapes.

For rising talents, the championship also serves as a bridge towards the World Rally Championship. It rewards courage, preparation and technical maturity.

In 2026, Charpentier’s planned ERC programme includes Sierra Morena, Sweden and Rally di Roma Capitale. His calendar may expand according to budget and future opportunities.

In addition, the team also expects selected WRC2 appearances. This approach gives Charpentier a wider development path across elite rally competition.

From Single-Seaters to Rally Stages

Before rallying, Tristan Charpentier built experience in single-seater racing. He later moved into rallying in 2023, first with Rally4 machinery.

Then, he progressed to four-wheel drive in a Ford Fiesta Rally3. Now, the Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 opens a faster and more technical chapter.

This journey gives him a distinctive profile. Circuit racing taught him precision. Rallying now demands instinct, adaptability and fearless communication.

As a result, Tristan Charpentier Rally2 ERC becomes more than a sporting update. It becomes a story of evolution.

Eyes on the Future

Charpentier does not hide his long-term ambition. In five years, he hopes to secure an official drive in the top category of the WRC.

For now, however, the mission remains clear. He wants to learn, gain strong pace on tarmac and compete at the front as soon as possible.

The road ahead will bring pressure, dust, heat and split-second decisions. Yet that is exactly where rally drivers reveal their craft.

With Orsák Rally Sport, Loris Pascaud and the Škoda Fabia RS Rally2, Tristan Charpentier enters 2026 with serious intent. Europe now becomes his proving ground.