It had been a suspicion in Monte Carlo, but things became clear in Sweden. Citroen is in trouble with their C3 WRC.
Both Citroens struggled with handling issues in Sweden. (Photo: Holmes)It all came to a head on the Saturday afternoon as their drivers explained.
Talking after his eight minute off-road delay Kris Meeke said: “It felt quite odd. I was really struggling in the stage, right from the first corner. I had a big big moment on the first corner, the first left hander up the hill.
“I was really struggling to keep the rear in line and I was conscious of that and really just trying to protect where I was and not to do anything stupid, and on a slight right over a crest the rear stepped out and I went completely 90 degrees to the road on an entry to a left hander, so I couldn’t make the corner.
“We take every kilometre to try and learn. We’ll see what we do tomorrow.”
Trouble continued on the Sunday, by when he had stopped talking to the media.
Teammate Craig Breen was in no better form, but happily he kept the car on the road.
“Struggled to get a feel with the rear of the car. I can’t keep it in line and it’s given me a lot of frights,” he said.
“On some stages it’s not so bad and I can manage it, but on other stages it’ll just catch you by surprise. I’m so afraid to do something silly.”
Kris is, meanwhile, hurting under the stories that he has now had four crashes in rally or test cars in just three weeks.
- Martin Holmes