With the fifth generation of Renault Clio in competition, a genuine development pyramid is in place to offer competitors a springboard to the highest level. Anthony Fotia, Romain Di-Fante, Quentin Ribaud, Tom Pieri and Florian Bouchonneau have continued their progress with Clio Rally4. More recently, Benjamin Stirling, Matteo Chatillon, Arthur Pelamourgues and Tom Pellerey got their first taste of four-wheel-drive with Clio Rally3. In 2026, Lucas Zielinski and Mika Rasoamaromaka will follow in kind. True to its development commitment, the brand will provide them with Clio Rally3 as part of a Michelin-backed support programme.

The rise of Lucas Zielinski

After cutting his teeth in the French Off-Road Rally Championship, Lucas Zielinski quickly adapted to his new environment and went on to impress in the Clio Trophy France Asphalte.

Best rookie in 2024, then third in the general classification and best Junior in 2025, the 29-year-old Pau native will compete in a four-round programme in Clio Rally3. Co-driven by Ewen Leenhardt, he will race for Olivier David’s David Auto Compétition team, the defending drivers’ and teams’ champions in the Clio Trophy France Asphalte. The crew will receive technical support from Alpine Racing and its partners, Michelin and Sabelt, at all events to help accelerate their development.

Lucas Zielinski will begin his campaign with a first outing in his new car at Rallye Le Touquet Pas-de-Calais (26-28 March). Three weeks later, the Frenchman will make his international debut at the opening round of the FIA European Rally Championship at Rally Sierra Morena (17-19 April). These first events will allow the pair to hone their skills for the rest of the season and set their future challenges.

Lucas Zielinski : "This season is a decisive step in my career with Ewen. Joining an official programme is an exceptional opportunity, a dream come true, which we approach with ambition, humility and huge motivation. Preparations are now coming to fruition, and everything is ready to start this new chapter in the best possible conditions. This season will also mark a major development with our switch to a four-wheel drive car, an important step in our racing progress. We will also venture into the European scene, a new challenge that we are eager to take on. We will enjoy every moment and look forward to sharing this adventure with those around us. We are also very proud to become Michelin ambassadors for the 2026 season, an iconic motorsport brand that we are honoured to represent. A huge thank you to Alpine Racing, our partners and David Auto Compétition for their commitment to this project !"

3 for Mika Rasoamaromaka with Clio Rally3

Mika Rasoamaromaka, the 2021 Madagascan Rally Champion, rose to prominence last year, winning the Clio Trophy France Terre title. Victorious in the first three rounds of the season, he sealed his crown by demonstrating maturity and composure in a nail-biting season finale.

The 23-year-old Madagascan will return to the four-wheel-drive ranks, where he starred on his native island, but which he will now discover on France’s special stages. To speed up his development, he will draw on the experience of Mélissa Declerck, who co-drove Quentin Ribaud in his official programme four years ago, and of Jérémy Brissiaud’s Fun Meca Sport team, where he has been since 2022.

Supported by Alpine Racing, Michelin and Sabelt, the crew will begin their campaign at Rallye Terre de Castine (6-8 March), the opening round of the French Gravel Rally Championship. Their campaign will continue at Rallye Terre des Causses (3-5 April) and Rallye Terre des Cardabelles (9-11 October), with a calendar aligned with the Clio Trophy France Terre.

Mika Rasoamaromaka : "Since the final stop point of last year’s Rallye Terre de Vaucluse, I’ve been eager to discover the Clio Rally3 and experience all the sensations behind the wheel. I’m delighted to embark on this new journey with Renault, alongside Mélissa, and still as part of the Fun Meca Sport team. This continuity is an asset, as we have worked together for several years and know each other perfectly. It will allow me to focus on learning the car and our new environment in this role as an official Alpine Racing driver. I want to thank the customer racing department for their confidence, as well as all the partners who are making this project possible. The goal is to perform well in four-wheel-drive and compete against crews who have experience in this category. It will be an opportunity to demonstrate Clio Rally3’s potential by showing what it can do. The rest will be pure pleasure and passion. We will remain true to our values while doing the necessary work with seriousness and dedication."