Citroen WRT

[PLuto]

Little Big Racing by Citroën - Rally Sweden: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxP9as9yqtA

[Rally Power]

Wasn’t able to follow Sweden properly, but Breen looked strong all event long and Ostberg also performed decently; quite an improvement from last year rally. It feels Citroen tech staff is managing to improve the car and probably we cannot longer say the C3 is a crap. With the jokers they’re expecting to use since Mexico (or Argentina?) things are starting to look promising in the French squad; good news for them and great for the WRC!

[A FONDO]

Big cheeks Matton left the team and the car is immediately up to speed

[doubled1978]

I got the impression the drivers were almost as surprised as us that the car performed as it did in Sweden. Breen in particular kept referencing that it's 'sticking', which I took to mean the rear of the car.

[Sulland]

Rumors say that Breen and Østberg started Sweden using the completely changed set-up that came after Mads struggled during his testday. He tweeked on almost everything, and ended up with a very different set-up than where he started.

Meeke tried it, but felt it did not suite his liking, so he went back to his way of setting up the car.

Shows that many drivers need to test a car, for the constructing team gets many inputs, to make a car that is adjustable for many styles of fast driving.

Citroen has tradition of using their number 1 driver as head tester. That was ok with the two Sebs. Not sure about car behaviour preferences on loose and hard surfaces of the 3, but I guess someone here has insight to share?

[T16]

Rumors say that Breen and Østberg started Sweden using the completely changed set-up that came after Mads struggled during his testday. He tweeked on almost everything, and ended up with a very different set-up than where he started.

Meeke tried it, but felt it did not suite his liking, so he went back to his way of setting up the car.

Shows that many drivers need to test a car, for the constructing team gets many inputs, to make a car that is adjustable for many styles of fast driving.

Citroen has tradition of using their number 1 driver as head tester. That was ok with the two Sebs. Not sure about car behaviour preferences on loose and hard surfaces of the 3, but I guess someone here has insight to share?

Could be that a totally different take on the set-up has made such a positive difference, but Meeke has always been held in very high regard as far as car set-up and development goes.
That's not to say he always gets it right though.
I wonder if it's possible that new components on the car have allowed the operating window to be shifted, thus allowing for a set-up that was not possible before? (diff components/ software / suspension geometry parameters)...

[mknight]

but Meeke has always been held in very high regard as far as car set-up and development goes.

By whom? Which car did he help develop?

Last year he used DS3 on at least 3 pre-event tests for "comparison". Doesn't look like someone who is sure about setting up a car.

[T16]

By whom? Which car did he help develop?

Last year he used DS3 on at least 3 pre-event tests for "comparison". Doesn't look like someone who is sure about setting up a car.

Sorry if I offended you somehow pal... I can't remember specifically, but he used to do a lot of development work for when Loeb was driving for the team and they actually gave him a special mention for his work in the initial development for ..... (I think it was the C4?).. I'm sure someone will remember better than I do.

Maybe the fault is (or was) within the engineering / technical side of the team and not solely at his door. Did you consider that, or are you certain he is to blame?

[mknight]

I just wonder how you got the idea. Sordo developed C4 afaik.

[T16]

I just wonder how you got the idea. Sordo developed C4 afaik.

I remember him being publicly praised by whoever ran Citroen sport at the time (not so sure it was Matton, but can't remember who it was exactly)... they accredited him with a lot of the cars performance.