Portugal will provide answersformeeke
Kris Meeke says this week’s Rally of Portugal will offer a true representation of where Citroen’s revised C3 WRC sits against its rivals in terms of pace.
The first European gravel rally of the season is traditionally the place where the teams look for a guide on where their car’s at without the complications of altitude which accompany Mexico and Argentina.
“Portugal will be the first real test in terms of out-and-out performance,” said Meeke, who won the Matosinhos-based event in 2016. “It’s a rally that I really like and I have high hopes that, like in Argentina, I can show the progress that our C3 WRC has made on this surface.”
With dry weather expected on the roads around Porto, Meeke is looking to make the most of starting sixth on the road.
He added: “The stages are unchanged from last year, everyone has the pacenotes and the same knowledge of the roads. I’m going to try and take advantage of my position on the road on day one.”
Meeke isn’t the only Portugal winner with Citroen this week, as Mads Ostberg returns for a second C3 WRC outing of the season. The Norwegian said his main focus is on the next round in Sardinia: “With a long break [since Sweden], I might need time to get my bearings. My approach will be more cautious, so I can make it to the end. Then I’ll be ready to go for a big push in Sardinia!”