[WRC] News & rumours (part III)

[er88]

Great deal for Meeke. Hopefully Matton will stop bashing him in the press now and manage him a little better....

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[GigiGalliNo1]

Great news!

[dodge33cymru]

Superb, hoped that would be the case, but 10 rounds with PH Sport is better than I was expecting; guess that's all events bar the flyaways.

Makes sense for him, as he already has a long-standing, good relationship with PSA so there is little point jeopardising it, thinking beyond his WRC career.

[tommeke_B]

Great deal for Meeke. Hopefully Matton will stop bashing him in the press now and manage him a little better....

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Bashing? Without Matton Meeke would probably have been sitting at home and would never have had the opportunity to be in a WRC works seat again. Up until this year he was the only one willing to take him in a works seat. He had 2 events in 2013, crashed it twice, and still got a chance for the 2014 season. Both this year and last year he had very good results (3 podium finishes, so did Ostberg), but also a lot of mistakes. I don't think Matton said many wrong things in the media aside of the facts? I think he's quite patient with Meeke (not that there are many other options at this moment).

Anyway, very happy to see some "semi-works" team from Citroën for next year. That should make at least 11 works/semi-works cars on each European WRC event. VW:Ogier/Latvala/Mikkelsen -- Hyundai:Neuville/Paddon/Sordo -- PH:Meeke/Lefebvre -- M-Sport:Ostberg/Camilli -- D-Mack:Tänak

I hope the participation of PH opens some doors for more privateers to enter in a rented WRC car as well. It could become a new option next to M-Sport, as PH will be present on most events. For anyone who ever wants (and has the ability) to enter a WRC event with a WRC car, this is the right moment, since from 2017 it could become (financially) impossible for privateers...

[jacko]

Great deal, Meeke had some luck with the 3 year contract because Toyota wanted the services also but anyway, great to have Meeke for a few years in the WRC.

[Lundefaret]

Very glad for Meeke!
I had hoped he went for Toyota, but it will be very good at Citroën too.
I really like that there was two teams fighting for him - driving up his salary. He deserves that.
Kris isn't only one of the very very few drivers that can take Ogier on pure speed, he is also a very important personality in the championship with great charisma. The WRC needs that, and needs longevity beneath Meeke.
Good luck, and I hope for many victories!

[Simmi]

Great news. I'll feel even better when I actually see it confirmed. Slightly interesting from a PR angle as Citroen have said quite a few different things in the press regarding 2016. Not sure exactly how they will announce this news.

Glad to see Meeke got the long-term deal as there were reports Citroen weren't offering that. For sure he owes Tommi a few beers for giving him all that negotiating leverage. It may well even have helped get that amount of rallies in 2016 too.

[Lundefaret]

Great news. I'll feel even better when I actually see it confirmed. Slightly interesting from a PR angle as Citroen have said quite a few different things in the press regarding 2016. Not sure exactly how they will announce this news.

Glad to see Meeke got the long-term deal as there were reports Citroen weren't offering that. For sure he owes Tommi a few beers for giving him all that negotiating leverage. It may well even have helped get that amount of rallies in 2016 too.

I would think that Citroëns oustet was something like:

1 year contract.
Development of 2017 car.
4-5 rallies in 2016.
X amaount in pay.

Because of the sudden stock price hike with Toyota also wanting him, he could leverage that deal quite considerably. Very good for Kris, very good for Citroën, not so good for Toyota.

[tommeke_B]

http://www.autonews-magazine.com/blo...edium=facebook Some info about Lefebvre/Prévot and Breen.

[EightGear]

http://www.autonews-magazine.com/blo...edium=facebook Some info about Lefebvre/Prévot and Breen.

So Breen and Al-Qassimi are new BFFs?