Nicolas Gilsoul
Tipped by many as a future world champion, Nicolas Gilsoul started his co-driving career on home ground, tackling a variety of Belgian national events from 2000.
Career Summary
Gilsoul stepped-up to the international stage in 2003 when he paired with fellow Belgian Bruno Thiry for a FIA European Rally Championship (ERC) campaign, finishing third overall.
More European events followed with a variety of Belgian drivers until 2010, including his WRC debut at Rallye Monte-Carlo in 2007.
In 2011 he began a new partnership with Thierry Neuville. Two wins in that year’s Intercontinental Rally Challenge (IRC) earned them a season at the Citroën Junior World Rally Team in 2012, the highlight of which was fourth place at Rallye de France.
Gilsoul followed Neuville to the Qatar M-Sport World Rally Team in 2013 and the pair had their most successful season to date. Four consecutive second places and the runner-up spot in the drivers’ and co-drivers’ championships ensured they were top of the list when the fledgling Hyundai squad was looking for its 2014 team leaders.
A maiden podium in Mexico with the Korean manufacturer’s i20 WRC was followed by a first victory later in the season in Germany. In comparison the following season was a disappointment - with just one podium.
They bounced back in 2016 to finish championship runners-up after victory in Italy began an unbroken run of eight top-four finishes that took Gilsoul and Neuville to the runner-up position again.
The pair secured four victories in 2017 and three in 2018, but on both occasions they had to settle for second in the standings.