Meeke Clings On To His Top-Flight WRC Career

Kris Meeke faces the task of rebuilding his World Rally Championship career after he was sacked by Citroen following his massive Rally of Portugal crash.

- David Evans

The Dungannon driver has limited options available to him following last week’s news, but Hyundai and Toyota have both expressed an interest in Meeke.

The 38-year-old was unavailable for comment when MN contacted him earlier this week, but sources close to him have said he is angry and upset at Citroen’s decision.

The chances of Meeke finding a way back into the WRC this season are remote, but there could be potential when the driver market starts to move at the end of the season.

Hyundai’s Alain Penasse said he thought Meeke still had plenty to offer in the WRC.

“For the moment there’s no contact [with Meeke], but it depends on how the driver market is,” he said. “There’s no doubt that Kris Meeke is a driver who can win WRC events; he is very fast, but very inconsistent – we have seen this throughout his career, which is going up and down. He’s got the speed and he’s not somebody you would have sitting on the bench; he’s like Jari-Matti Latvala: a driver who’s not so consistent, but will win you one or two rallies a year.

“We consider all drivers, especially guys who are free and on the market. It’s a bit early now, but we have to see what happens. For sure I can imagine there’s going to be some interest in Citroen [and Meeke’s seat] now. Last year Citroen wasn’t really a danger, but now they have good results and I’m sure drivers will consider them.