Kris Meeke: “It’s a little frustrating”

Often criticized for its lack of consistency, Chris Meeke seems to have changed approach this year in WRC by joining the Toyota Gazoo Racing. Au terme du Rally from Argentina, the Briton scored his fifth points finish in five rallies contested, to move into fourth place in the championship.

Une accumulation de points « intermédiaires » plus que bénéfique pour son employeur, qui cherche à conserver sa couronne Constructeurs, mais doit faire face à une écurie Hyundai Motorsport surfant sur la vague du succès avec la deuxième victoire en deux courses de Thierry Neuville.

And if Toyota appears closest to the Korean firm, it owes it in part to the results of Meeke, who brought home more points than the Finn Jari-Matti Latvala.

However, the former Citroën driver reveals a small feeling of frustration regarding recent scenarios, especially that in Argentina, where a 10″ penalty for not having taken the correct route on Saturday evening, cost him a lot, he who failed to less than 2″ from the podium behind Sébastien Ogier.

“Last night's time penalty dropped us to fifth place, but we still had something to fight for, reminds Meeke. The car was working very well this morning and I had fun.

The pace was good and we carried that momentum into the Power Stage, but about six kilometers from the end a warning light warned me of a drop in tire pressure. I don't know at all what happened. I did my best, but sometimes it's like that.

It's a bit frustrating, because in the last three rallies we could have had a top result. I'm really enjoying driving this car and I enjoyed the ordeal even though it didn't work out. I have to keep doing what I'm doing, I know it will work out. »

Discover the full report and analysis of the Rally Argentina, in issue 2214 of AUTOhebdo, available now in digital version, and from Thursday on newsstands.