Fre🎃nch youngster Sebastien Chardonnet is to make his debut in a full-blown World Rally Car on hi💝s home round of the WRC next month.

The 23-year-old, who is mentored by Sebastien Loeb's co-driver Daniel Elena, has been taking part in a numbꦑer of WRC events this season at the wheel of a Citroen DS3 R3 but will now step up to a DS3 WRC for Rallye🅷 de France-Alsace.

Chardonnet 🌄and co-driver Thib♌ault de La Haye are the latest youngsters to be backed by the French motorsport governing body the FFSA.

"I can still hardly believe that I wi🐻ll have such a competitive car as the Cit𒁏roen DS3 WRC for my home event," Chardonnet said. "It's like Christmas come early. "We took a careful look at the budget because the costs involved aren't at all the same as they are for a DS3 R3.

"The final decision to enter a Citroen DS3 WRC for the Rallye de France-Alsace was taken by our partners. They are fully behind the project and it will be an important event for them in terms of vis♑ibility, notoriety and media coverage. A number of new in✨vestors are involved, too, and I would like to thank all those who have put their faith in us. I hope we will succeed in doing justice to their confidence."

Elena, winner of eight titles alongside Loeb, said it was important for the youngster to keep his fe🦂et on the ground.

"It is important to take things one step at a time because there is so much a young 🅷crew has to take on board," he said. "At the same time, you can't afford to miss a chance... and this is a golden opportunitไy! Sebastien and Thibault just need to keep their eye on the ball, stay focused and forget the pressure despite the importance of the stakes. I would also like to extend my personal thanks to their partners who have joined forces to turn this plan into reality..."