Kris Meeke: An encouraging first contact with the Yaris

Thanked by Citroën Racing during the year after Portugal, Chris Meeke will make his return in WRC in 2019. by signing up with Toyota Gazoo Racing by Tommi Mäkinen, to support Ott Tänak and Jari-Matti Latvala.

If the Briton will not make his official debut with the Japanese brand until the next Rally Monte-Carlo in January, Meeke was able to try his hand at driving the Yaris WRC in a gravel driving session in Finland. A first which raises real hopes for the former Mini driver.

“Driving the Yaris on this course, it just gives me so much pleasure to drive again, admits Meeke in a video on his Facebook page.

Immediately on the first pass, I was able to connect with the road, and I could feel everything. And that's something I haven't had in a while. If I can just enjoy my riding with this connection, I let the speed do it. »

Tommi Mäkinen counts on Meeke's technical feedback

Le Team Principal du Toyota Gazoo Racing espère profiter de l’apport du Britannique, qui a notamment pris part au développement de la Citroën C3 WRC en son temps. “We know he is very fast, but he also brings a lot of experience, underlines the four-time world champion.

His technical understanding is at a very high level and I believe he can provide new knowledge and ideas to help us in our goal of continuing to improve the Yaris WRC. »

“When I came to Jyväskylä to meet him, I was able to sit and talk for hours about the car, about the technical aspects, and it's quite easy, Meeke mentions. It is refreshing. »

Meeke will support Ott Tänak and Jari-Matti Latvala in 2019, Esapekka Lappi leaving for Citroën Racing to second Sébastien Ogier.