Citroen moves forward with Norwegian driver Andreas Michelson replaceing Irish driver Kris Meeke in its line-up for this week’s Orlen 74th Rally Poland (29 June - 2 July). Meeke was dropped after rolling out of the lead in Italy earlier this month, the culmination of an accident-strewn series of rallies.
Mikkelsen spearheaded a four-day test in Poland immediately after the Italian encounter and Citroën has since submitted technical upgrades to the FIA
With the addition of Andreas Michelson to the Citroen WRC crew, team principle Yves Matton confirm that two important upgrades have been homologated for the troubled Citroen C3 WRC design, which further confirm that Meeke and Nagle were out in a less than perfect car..
Mikkelsen spearheaded a four-day test in Poland immediately after the Italian encounter and Citroën has since submitted technical upgrades to the FIA
With the addition of Andreas Michelson to the Citroen WRC crew, team principle Yves Matton confirm that two important upgrades have been homologated for the troubled Citroen C3 WRC design, which further confirm that Meeke and Nagle were out in a less than perfect car..
These are new rear differential specification and a system designed to modify the torque split between the axles.
Due to a delay in sourcing the new components, only Mikkelsen’s car will be fitted with these new parts in time for Rally Poland.
Yves Matton, Citroen Racing’s Team Principal said: “Our season moves into a new phase at Rally Poland. We needed to take a step back to note that some of the risks we had taken during development of the C3 WRC were not paying off.
“Our car is unquestionably fast, but the window in which it works efficiently was proving too narrow. We have therefore begun making some major changes to our organisation, our methods and our principles.
“The first of these was the arrival of Andreas Mikkelsen, who encouraged us to explore some new ideas. After his first proper test session in the C3 WRC, we have introduced some upgrades that supplement the work done over the last few months.
“With a more versatile car, our drivers will be able to aim for the kind of results that match Citroën’s high expectations.”
Understanding Matton’s comments about ‘changes in organisation’ leads to questions about the future position for Kris Meeke in the team, though his drive on the ensuing WRC event in Finland has been assured.
Not much has changed with the WRC Citroen Team since the Colin McRae days, they seem to quickly turn their back to drivers that give it their all in a less than perfect product.
Despite their new love affair with Mikkelsen, there is no question! that the French team want a French driver in the car, Ogier is undoubted successor to Sébastien Loeb’s throne, especially now that Ogier has already started talks regarding his contract with M-SPORT demanding Ford's commitment to WRC for him to stray with the team. I am sure that Citroen will all out this time to secure Ogier.
Not much has changed with the WRC Citroen Team since the Colin McRae days, they seem to quickly turn their back to drivers that give it their all in a less than perfect product.
Despite their new love affair with Mikkelsen, there is no question! that the French team want a French driver in the car, Ogier is undoubted successor to Sébastien Loeb’s throne, especially now that Ogier has already started talks regarding his contract with M-SPORT demanding Ford's commitment to WRC for him to stray with the team. I am sure that Citroen will all out this time to secure Ogier.
