Citroen WRT

[mknight]

One the other hand, anything less than a dominant win (like 2016), will be a true measure of the deficit of the shortcomings of the car. If he does manage to pull the rabbit out of the hat... well... what do you say... he is a legend in Finland, or they have sorted the car? Suppose it depends on his advantage over his team mate. Still dont quite understand why Mikkelsen is not entered in Finland? It it truly because there was no car, or Mikkelsen really didnt want to do it? Still, I think the team needs to give a very clear public statment of what they want from Meeke, but at the minute it looks like they are pushing him for a win, to pull them out of the PR shithole.

For reality check last year he was driving as 10th on the road for 3 whole days. In Finland the differences are often rather small so even 0.1-0.2 s/km possible advantage makes a big difference. And yes due to results so far this year he will also have very good road position on friday, but on saturday it should get much more even.

The only thing Citroen does not want him to do is to crash (especially early in the rally). Anything above 6th is good, 3rd and better is very good. (off course depending whom you actually beat and how Breen does)

Historically Finland is prbly Mikkelsen's worst rally, second only to Sardinia. Last year he won 2 stages, and was 3rd, then Ogier had a brake problem and Mikkelsen had to clean the road for rest of Saturday... dropping 5 places. Before that he has one 4th place as best. So I don't think he was very eager to push for Finland start. Breen was 3rd last year in his first ever podium and therefore was a clear candidate to drive. So it was prbly mutual agreement. For Mikkelsen's career prospects it's much better to get a drive on tarmac in Germany, I think he is now eager to try other options than helping Citroen fix the car, seeing that drivers from all 3 other manufacturers are fighting for the title.