Third podium for Kris Meeke this season

For a time, Kris Meeke's Citroën DS3 came to interfere in the internal struggle at Volkswagen between the future winner and Jari-Matti Latvala. But early Saturday afternoon, the driver of the chevron brand gave up. “Yesterday, we were in front of Seb after two days. We held on through Saturday morning, but at the start of the second loop, we started to have a vibration at the front right, we lost three or four seconds on Seb and then he passed in front of us in Himos where I had a big scare and I lost five seconds. At that moment, recovering 10 seconds was too complicated.

I'm delighted to be on the podium at one of the biggest events in the championship. I was on the podium in Monte Carlo and Argentina, but this one is more special. It feels like a victory. It's not my strong point, but we maintained a good speed. Jari, when he's in top form...we all know his speed. Being by his side today is very satisfying. I came here to have a consistent weekend and we succeeded – that’s the most important thing. »

Meeke also saves Citroën's weekend, after Mads Ostberg retired yesterday after the mid-day regroup, the Norwegian having damaged his roll bar in an impact.

Photos of the event can be viewed here, and videos by clicking this link.

Find the report and analysis of this Rally from Finland, produced by our special correspondents in Jyväskylä, in issue 1972 of AUTOhebdo, available from tomorrow evening in digital version and from Wednesday on newsstands.