Kris Meeke believes the pressure he felt last season by the result-driven demands of his Citroën team has been lifted as he prepares for the new FIA World Rally Championship season at next week’s Rallye Monte-Carlo (21 - 24 January).
The Ulsterman had to compromise all-out attack with the French squad’s desire for strong points finishes in its ultimately successful bid to finish runner-up in the 2015 manufacturers’ standings.
Citroën is stepping back from WRC for a season as it develops a new car for 2017’s new technical regulations. Meeke will drive a DS 3 (pictured above) in several European rounds for the PH Sport-run Abu Dhabi Total World Rally Team, which will not score points.
“I don’t feel like I’m under a great deal of pressure, mainly because we’re not aiming for a particular result at the end of the season,” he said.
The Ulsterman, for whom this will be his eighth Rallye Monte-Carlo, has a three-year deal to develop and drive Citroën’s new challenger and said 2016 was the start of a new chapter in his career.
“At Monte-Carlo, and at the other rallies, I’ll be looking to do my very best and get as much experience as possible,” added Meeke, who will be joined for the season-opener by Frenchman Stéphen Lefebvre.
The team will prepare for the four-day rally with two days of testing near the event base in Gap this weekend.