Do you angree with Citroen WRT to replace Kris Meeke?

[Antreas]

What is your opinion

[Antreas]

https://www.strawpoll.me/15765040
Vote here

[BigWorm]

The manner of it and the timing was not nice, but ultimately I think it was the right decision.

[Mirek]

There is an ongoing discussion about it already in two other threads. Why a third one?

[cali]

I don't agree. They have no other or better options as no. 1.
Breen is nice option for no. 2 driver, same for Ostberg (struggles a lot on tarmac).
Only Loeb would be a constant threat for wins and podiums but we know this is not gonna happen.

But I agree that Kris has had many chances to get his act together and at the end got axed. Sadly I don't think we see Citroen next year in WRC.

[macebig]

No. There was no reason to fire him now. There is nobody on the market who can be better than Kris during 2018. They should have let him complete the season and then try to sign someone better if it was possible.

[shaitan]

As you waste time again I MUST say YES.

Do not waste money anymore though Citroen have done it not in a style.

[N.O.T]

The decision was correct but the timing was not, overall as a decision it shows that they are not a serious team but just a moving arab billboard.

Good riddance at the end of the season.

[AndyRAC]

After his off on Saturday, I immediately thought 'that's it' - and they would call time, but at the end of the season. As it is, the timing is woeful; something else must have happened. You don't pull the plug halfway through the season - unless something serious has happened; like taking a dump/ throwing up in the CEO's hat/ chair.....

Put it this way, it's likely none of the other drivers will win an event on pure pace this year. So, Citroen are happy with safe 5,6,7th place finishes......Best if they just pull out at the end of the year. They're offering nothing.....

[Tarmop]

Less cars and a situation where points will be handed to RC2 drivers in each event is better than a team that occasionally can get a podium or even win with a right driver?

[N.O.T]

Less cars and a situation where points will be handed to RC2 drivers in each event is better than a team that occasionally can get a podium or even win with a right driver?

yes.

[dodge33cymru]

People saying Citroen should pull out? What sort of rally fan wants that? If you go watch any rally stageside, two or three extra works cars are great to see and they've got an interesting car and team - I hope they stay a lot longer and come back stronger.

Do I agree with the decision? Depends on their plans. If they're pulling out at the end of the year and don't care about a win (which I hope they don't), it makes sense to replace him with Ostberg and spend a bit less money. If they are staying, and they have a plan to put Tidemand or Bonato in the car for a few rounds just to test them, then fair enough.

I can understand their frustration with Meeke but the situation they're in is a reflection of their own poor decision making. Meeke was the development driver for the car and no-one seems able to drive it with any combination of speed and stability - Ostberg seems to find it less predictable than the Ford and we know how well Mikkelsen's test went.

They've failed their chance to land Ogier, Neuville, Lappi, Tanak and Mikkelsen onto their driving team and are now suffering as a result IMO.

To answer the question, I'm disappointed as Meeke is a great character and shows genuine speed, but I don't blame them at all for this decision at this time. I do blame them for being in this position.

[bassist]

People saying Citroen should pull out? What sort of rally fan wants that? If you go watch any rally stageside, two or three extra works cars are great to see and they've got an interesting car and team - I hope they stay a lot longer and come back stronger.

Do I agree with the decision? Depends on their plans. If they're pulling out at the end of the year and don't care about a win (which I hope they don't), it makes sense to replace him with Ostberg and spend a bit less money. If they are staying, and they have a plan to put Tidemand or Bonato in the car for a few rounds just to test them, then fair enough.

I can understand their frustration with Meeke but the situation they're in is a reflection of their own poor decision making. Meeke was the development driver for the car and no-one seems able to drive it with any combination of speed and stability - Ostberg seems to find it less predictable than the Ford and we know how well Mikkelsen's test went.

They've failed their chance to land Ogier, Neuville, Lappi, Tanak and Mikkelsen onto their driving team and are now suffering as a result IMO.

To answer the question, I'm disappointed as Meeke is a great character and shows genuine speed, but I don't blame them at all for this decision at this time. I do blame them for being in this position.

Well said, I would like Kris to be given a car that he doesn't have to over drive. I think that will show his true speed.

[N.O.T]

Well said, I would like Kris to be given a car that he doesn't have to over drive. I think that will show his true speed.

Its not a matter of overdriving... he is like Latavla he cannot control his limits.

[Norm75]

Its not a matter of overdriving... he is like Latavla he cannot control his limits.

Interesting comparison, like Meeke in 16 and Latvala in 17, very little expectation and pressure, as mentioned in other thread maybe they both can't handle pressure so well, but think they do overdrive the cars to compensate.

[gorganl2000]

i think Meeke is a great personality and talent to have in the WRC, but based on the information presented via the media and his performances/results, i really can't blame Citroen for letting him go at this time.
and i agree with some of the others above, if Meeke is given a Ford, Toyota, Hyundai, whatever, i still think he will win some and crash...i don't think his driving style will change much.
For a while i had hoped he'd have a more measured approach and maybe settle for the 3rd/5th spots when he couldn't do any better, as even with him not pushing 100%, he could get in these positions given his talent. It really disappointing for him, the team, management and fans when he even crashes on events where he has nothing to gain by pushing---and unnecessarily costly for the team in terms of man-hours, chassis, parts,etc. On the events he could challenge, then by all means go for it. All of this is in view that at the top level a lot is expected of you as a professional driver, it's your/team job to deliver results and follow orders and strategy when required to optimize results.
i hope he finds a drive otherwise and i hope he proves me wrong and can drive more measured when required. I'd be happy to be wrong in that likelihood.

i don't necessarily think Citroen is going to leave the WRC at the end of the season either. During this time, if they can afford to, they can "test" some of the other drivers mentioned before to help fill the spot at the end of the season and further refine the car.

[spiderem]

time for Breen to shine in my opinion. Good road position for the coming rallys, pressure should be off in a way as Citroen clearly can't expect any hopes or targets anymore for this year. In my opinion Breen should display consistency and bringing car home first, and display raw speed when he can (Sweden was a good example).

[denkimi]

Well said, I would like Kris to be given a car that he doesn't have to over drive. I think that will show his true speed.
He has been overdriving and crashing every car he has ever raced. That clearly shows that the problem is not the car, it's meeke not knowing the limits.

[Ucci]

He has been overdriving and crashing every car he has ever raced. That clearly shows that the problem is not the car, it's meeke not knowing the limits.
Agree, at one point I understand that the people at Citroen lost their patience and showed Kris exit door....

[A FONDO]

Of course I agree. Meeke must be kept away from any motored or motorless vehicle.

[Zeakiwi]

Proton should go after Meeke's signature for a wrc2 contract. Maybe the young Lindholm junior as a team mate.

[52Paddy]

A shame to see him go as a fellow man from the island of Ireland but I can't deny that he has been reckless on too many occasions. He has shown good speed on many different events but a lot of them seem to end with him in a ditch or in the trees. He's had some bad luck too and tends to cripple when he's thrown down the order for a car-related issue. Perhaps it's time to try some new talent, though time will only tell if losing out on an experienced driver will hamper their overall progress.

I hope this isn't the beginning of a road out of the WRC for Citroen. More works cars are always the goal. And with the right technical + driver combination the DS3 is a proven front line competitor. As for Meeke, I can't see him landing another drive in WRC for 2019.

[Watson]

If Ogier retires there might be a place for him at M-Sport. With the right car he might pull off strong results and there isn't really anyone else they can take on board. Unless they are willing to pay off Skoda for Tidemand.

[pantealex]

If Ogier retires there might be a place for him at M-Sport. With the right car he might pull off strong results and there isn't really anyone else they can take on board. Unless they are willing to pay off Skoda for Tidemand.

Tidemand is most probably free agent after this year, like almost every one else...

[spiderem]

didn't Kris crash as well in rally legend or similar like 2 years ago?

[Duvel]

Sorry for al the Meeke fans, and i like the guy to. But as a team boss i wouldnt hire him for a drive.
Only way i see him back in a wrc car is if he finds enough spondors for a private drive( wich i hope will happen if i am correct).

[Jarek Z]

didn't Kris crash as well in rally legend or similar like 2 years ago?

I have never heard about it, but it seems you are right:
https://www.ewrc-results.com/video/24086-crash-xsara-wrc-rally-legend-2017/

[tommeke_B]

Wasn't it due to a brake failure there? ;) Aside from that, I hope some big sponsors see the opportunity that comes with Meeke now. Even just bringing him to the start of a WRC event could create a buzz now.

[ESTR]

OneBet could create new section. How long will not Meeke crash?

[WRC17]

Meeke was very lucky in Portugal, if you saw the picture of the car without knowing the full story, you would have though it was fatal.