Citroen Total cars host new features for Portuguese WRC
The DS 3 WRCs will feature a host of changes on their return to action in Europe, with a fresh new livery and modified aerodynamics. Rally de Portugal also boasts a new format this year, as it moves to the north of the country. The base is now located in Matosinhos, just next to Porto. Mads Ostberg/Jonas Andersson, Kris Meeke/Paul Nagle and Khalid Al Qassimi/Chris Patterson will be driving the three DS 3 WRCs. A DS 3 R5 has also been entered for Stéphane Lefebvre and Stéphane Prévot.
After two successful rounds in Mexico and Argentina, collecting a win and two second places, the Citroen Total Abu Dhabi World Rally Team returns to Europe for round five of the World Rally Championship.
For 2015, Rally de Portugal heads back to the north of the country. After spending ten years in the Algarve, Porto becomes the base for the Portuguese round again. The rally therefore returns to its roots and a region that has played host to some of its finest moments.
Alongside Mads Ostberg and Kris Meeke, Khalid Al Qassimi will be competing in his second WRC event of 2015, in Portugal.
The DS 3 WRCs were treated to an initial set of developments ahead of Rallye Monte-Carlo. Revised engine, gearshift controls, rear suspension geometry and rear spoiler: these new parts have helped the Citroën Total Abu Dhabi World Rally Team enjoy a remarkable first third of the season.
Further developments are being introduced for Portugal, with redefined aerodynamics on the front end. The new bumper and redesigned wings will provide greater vertical load on the front axle, whilst also reducing the drag coefficient. All of this comes with a new-look livery, which emphasises the dynamic feel of the DS 3 WRCs.
Currently second in the manufacturers’ standings, the team is most definitely on an upward trend. Second in Mexico and Argentina, Mads Ostberg and Jonas Andersson also lie second in the World Championship standings. Their good form may well continue in the country where they won their first WRC rally. Fifth in the overall standings, Kris Meeke and Paul Nagle arrive in Portugal still basking in the glory of their first top-level win. As regards Khalid Al Qassimi, he came close to his best-ever result in the WRC at Rally Argentina by finishing sixth. His recent podium finish in Iran also enabled him to consolidate second place in the Middle East Rally Championship.
Stéphane Lefebvre, as ever alongside co-driver Stéphane Prévot, will be competing in the third round of his FIA WRC2 season. He’ll be looking to learn about this new event in his DS 3 R5 and hopefully score some points.
Kris Meeke says: “After winning my first WRC rally, perhaps the pressure is off me a little bit. In Argentina, everything worked out perfectly. I know we still have a lot to do in order to be competitive at all of the rallies, but the win has given us confidence. We’ll have to keep going and stick to our strategy. I’m not going to set myself any new goals. I just need to be very consistent and avoid making any mistakes. In Portugal, the revised route should help us to make up for our lack of experience. We’ll see what this round has in store.”