Olivier Quesnel considers Kris Meeke for Citroen

Written by Scott Coursey WRC Apr 10, 2009

resized meeke86 Olivier Quesnel considers Kris Meeke for Citroen

Kris Meeke is being considered for a drive with Citroen's factory team in the WRC, but not until the French marque's planned S2000 car comes on stream, according to Motorsport News.

Meeke, who is contesting the IRC in a Peugeot UK backed 207 S2000, is Citroen's official test driver and drove for the manufacturer in the 2005 and '06 JWRC.

The contracts of Citroen's current drivers, Loeb and Sordo, expires at the end of this year. Although Olivier Quesnel, who is the sporting boss of both Citroen and Peugeot, said he could see no reason why they would not be retained, he admitted Meeke's experience of driving Super 2000 machines would be advantageous to Citroen.

Quesnel stated to MN:

Kris is really fast and could be in the WRC with our team, for that I am quite sure. We have to consider all the drivers and I can't tell you what will happen but what I am quite sure about is he's good.

The WRC is set to adopt a winter season-style calendar from next year and could operate a six round championship in the first half of 2010 for the existing World Rally Cars before the 2010/11 series kicks off in August, when it is suggested the new generation regulations will be adopted as standard.

With Citroen unlikely to have its C3 based S2000 available until the middle of 2010, Quesnel admitted it would be unwise to promote Meeke to the WRC until the new car is ready due to the Northern Irishman's lack of knowledge of the current C4.

Quesnel added:

I would prefer him to be in the IRC and get the experience in the Super 2000 car because by the time he learns the current C4 WRC the six rallies will be finished.

Source: Motorsport News