Grégoire Munster: “A great reward”
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Interview with the Motor Sportsman of the Year 2024
In front of an audience of some 300 guests, Romain Gantrel, Chairman of ACL Sport, presented Grégoire Munster with the title of Motor Sportsman of the Year 2024 at the ACL Sport Motor Sports Gala.
Following the vote by the public, the LMWA (Luxembourg Motorsports Writers Association), the ACL Sport Management Committee and its sporting and technical stewards, Grégoire Munster won with 39.72% of the votes, ahead of Chester Kieffer with 25.94% and Gil Linster with 20.83%.
You win the title of ‘Autosportler vum joer vum’. What are your first impressions?
Grégoire Munster : It’s great, it’s the second year running. It means a lot and it’s a great reward for the efforts we’ve made over the years, as well as for those close to me, my parents, who have supported me since I was a child. It’s a great reward for them and for me, my girlfriend, my brother… and we hope it will continue.
Earlier this year, you won your first WRC special stage on the Monte Carlo Rally. Can you explain your tactical choices in Monte Carlo?
At Monte Carlo, it’s very special because there can be snow-covered stages and the next one can be dry. So you have to make the best choice for the whole route. We were particularly aggressive in our choice of tyres. It paid off, because by Friday we were well placed. On Saturday morning, as we had retired the day before, we didn’t have much to lose. We had a good position on the road and the choice of slick tyres worked well. It was a new stage too, so where the experienced drivers had less experience, we seized our opportunity.
Did you ever think you’d score your first victory on this legendary route and become one of the world’s top 10 rally drivers?
It’s always difficult to look that far ahead. There aren’t many opportunities in the WRC, so we were already very happy to be able to take part in this legendary round. It’s been a long road and I owe that to my parents, who have given me a lot of support, but also to ACL Sport and COSL. It was our first WRC scratch result and we hope to repeat the feat.
What is your favourite World Championship race?
It’s hard to say, because in the World Championship we’re lucky enough to have very varied courses. We go to Monte Carlo where the conditions are very changeable, to Kenya where we cross nature reserves and come across wild animals, and where the terrain changes all the time. It’s an environment that I really enjoy. We’re also going to Sweden… So the choice is difficult, but if I really had to choose, I’d go for Kenya.
A country you know well and where you have already had good results…
Yes, absolutely, and it’s also the next step on the calendar, so it’s very timely.
More generally, your first year in the WRC has been difficult at times. What are your impressions?
It happens to all sportsmen and women. There are ups and downs. We had a bit of a rough patch in the middle of the year, but then we bounced back well. We finished the season and were able to secure a second full-time season in the WRC. Then we got off to a very good start with our first scratch result in Monte Carlo. It feels good and I hope there will be many more.
Finally, will we see a battle between the Munster brothers on the Luxembourg Rally this year?
We tried to do that last year, but unfortunately with my schedule it didn’t work out. This year, I think there’s a small opening before Estonia. We’ll see if it’s possible, because it doesn’t just depend on me, as Ford also has to give its agreement. If the opportunity arises, you can certainly count on me.
By Jérémy Zabatta