WRC: Volkswagen almost at home in Argentina

Le Rally from Argentina will offer an exciting challenge to the crews of the WRC who will have to face 503km timed across 18 special stages. If Volkswagen is looking for its bearings by working with the Skoda Fabia S2000, the German firm does not fear these long endurance tests. VW indeed has good memories of the endurance events contested in South America. “Coming back to Argentina with our team will bring back many good memories”, recognizes Kris Nissen, the sporting director of VW who will be replaced on May 1 by Jost Capito. “Volkswagen will almost feel at home. The fact that this event is particularly long should suit us thanks to our experience of the Dakar. We must now gain experience in the WRC with the Skoda Fabia S2000 in order to best prepare the Polo R next year. »

Volkswagen Motorsport will bring two Fabia S2000s for Andreas Mikkelsen and Sébastien Ogier who took third place last year with Citroën WRT. Things will be different for the Frenchman who will drive an S2000 on a longer course. “I have never competed in such a long event”, admits the Frenchman. “It will be an exhausting ordeal for both the crews and the mechanics. You will have to know how to manage your strengths and the car which will compete in a real endurance test. The courses will offer both narrow and winding roads where stones will constitute traps as well as full speed sectors in the Pampas which I really appreciate from a driving point of view. The atmosphere is unique in these mountains, we can even smell barbecue smells in the cabin. »