Major developments for Citroën in Poland

After a lackluster first part of the season, Citroën Racing will make significant changes to its C3s WRC from the Rally of Poland played this week.

The Chevron brand carried out a four-day test session immediately after the Sardinia Rally (Italy) in the Mikolajki region (Poland) where Andreas Mikkelsen, Craig Breen and Stéphane Lefebvre took turns at the wheel of the C3 WRC.

At the end of this session, Citroën Racing filed two changes with the FIA. The first concerns the approval of a new rear differential ramp, while the second is a “joker” used for torque distribution between the axles.

“Our season enters a new phase at Rally Poland, assures Yves Matton, director of Citroën Racing. We needed to have the necessary perspective to see that certain risks taken during the development of the C3 WRC did not pay off. Our car is undoubtedly efficient, but its operating window proved too narrow... With a more versatile car, our drivers will be able to aim for results that match Citroën's ambitions. »

Andreas Mikkelsen, 8th at the Sardinia Rally for his first event in a new generation WRC, will return to an event where he won last year in the Volkswagen Polo R WRC.

“We had a very good test session last week, confirms Andreas Mikkelsen. After two days behind the wheel, on roads representative of the rally, I defined a setup that corresponds to my driving style. Obviously, there is always work to be done, but I believe that Craig and Stéphane were also satisfied. Many parameters, such as weather, dust or starting orders, can influence the course of the race, but I hope to aim for the podium if everything goes well. »

Craig Breen will still have to perfect his apprenticeship at the Polish Rally where he took 7th place last year in a DS 3 WRC.

“After the winding and rough roads of Sardinia, the pre-rally tests allowed me to get used to the fast profile of the Polish roads again. During this session, Andreas explored new paths which seem to me to go in the right direction, confirms Craig Breen. I'm happy to be competing in a rally where I won't have to learn everything. Last year, this event was a turning point in my season. This is where I laid the foundations for my podium in Finland. I feel more confident than before the last three rallies and I think I have the ability to increase the pace. After a series of fifth places, I would like to get closer to the podium. »

As for Stéphane Lefebvre, the Frenchman also hopes to benefit from the developments made to the C3 WRC at the Polish Rally where he took 9th place in 2016 in another DS 3 WRC.

“Like Andreas and Craig, I think we made progress during our test session, underlines Stéphane Lefebvre. I really like the Polish Rally, I have performed well there over the last three years, whatever the category. Last year, I also had the pleasure of signing my first real scratch in the WRC, at a time when the leaders were fighting for the lead. I know how to ride on this terrain and my confidence has been boosted by the tests. The route is similar to that of Finland, with narrower roads and softer ground. There are also long sections in the middle of the fields, very fast but with few visual cues. My goal is to be at the finish to end a bad streak. »

Citroën Racing has only one victory this season with the success of Kris Meeke on the Rally of Mexico. The Briton will be replaced by Andreas Mikkelsen in Poland after another accident in Sardinia but is registered on the provisional entry list for the Rally Finland played from July 28 to 30.