Aiming to continue our winning ways

Nobody in WRC will be prepared fully for the next round of the 2019 championship, a totally new event in Chile that continues our South American double-header.

Following our consecutive victories in Corsica and Argentina, we will be aiming to maintain our momentum but Rally Chile will offer challenges unlike any other on this year’s calendar.

The 17-stage gravel event will be a step into the unknown for all crews, but our trio – Thierry/Nicolas, Andreas/Anders and Sébastien/Daniel – are all excited at the prospect of a new rally.

Opening the show

Championship leader Thierry, alongside co-driver Nicolas, will be first to discover the new routes, as first on the road. “We are still in a positive frame of mind following our two recent victories and an important period of progress for the team,” said Thierry. “A lot of work awaits us but I am looking forward to it.”

Our Norwegians Andreas and Anders enjoyed a highly successful event in Argentina, taking their best result to date for our team in second. “I was so pleased with our performance,” said Andreas, “I am ready for more of the same in Chile! From what I have seen in videos, we are in for some beautiful stages. We know what we can achieve with the i20 Coupe WRC.”

Sébastien and Daniel return for their fourth event of the season, at a venue that is equally as unfamiliar to the experienced crew as their rivals. “The fact that it’s a gravel event is one of the only things I know about Chile,” said Sébastien. It’s not a country I’ve been too often, in fact only once to watch the Dakar. The roads appear to be quite flowing in the forest and on smooth gravel. It will be an interesting experience.”

Chilled in Chile

As a result of our recent performances, we are sitting on top of the manufacturers’ championship with a 37-point lead. We are not even at the halfway point of a competitive season so our Team Director Andrea remains grounded.

“We have enjoyed our recent run of victories but now is the time to focus once more,” he said. “We have three crews who are all ready to compete at the highest level, and who are all hungry for success. As a new event, I think it is wise to expect the unexpected in Chile.”

The first opportunity for crews to sample the Chilean stages will be during a 6.45km shakedown on Thursday, May 9.