Peugeot goes to Skoda land

After another victory for Juho Hänninen at the Rally of the Azores, Skoda has a lead of 63 points in the Manufacturers' Championship with five events remaining to be contested this season. Skoda will be able to increase its lead on home soil at Barum Rally Zlin, but Peugeot doesn't intend to make his job easier.

Frédéric Bertrand, Peugeot Sport's customer competition director, insists that the 207 S2000 has every chance of winning on Skoda's home turf. “The fight is not yet over but time is running out. This event will be an opportunity for our drivers to fight on the land of our competitors. The 207 S2000 has already won the Barum Rally Zlin twice in 2007 and 2008 and Kris Meeke took second place in 2009. Bryan Bouffier was in the lead last year with two stages remaining until problems arose. prevent him from taking victory. »

Peugeot is still aiming for the title even if the margin is now reduced. “We will do everything to beat our rivals even if the slightest mistake is no longer possible,” adds Frédéric Bertrand. “There are four events left after Barum Rally Zlin. The number of best results being taken into account at the end of the season and given the higher coefficients of the last two events, we still have every chance in the Drivers' and Manufacturers' Championships. It’s time for us to turn things around. »