Will the practice pay off for Citroën Juniors?

Citroen Junior team drivers Sebastien Ogier and Kimi Raikkonen could be on course for their best team result of the year so far as they return to WRC competition this week with a rally which should suit them both down to the ground.

Rally Bulgaria (9 - 11 July) is the first of four asphalt rallies from the seven which remain this year. And in order to prepare for the strong asphalt bias in the second half of the season, the Citroën Junior Team has been testing in France and also took part in the Rally della Lanterna in Italy.

“This has allowed our drivers to stay match fit so that they are in the best possible position heading into the second half of the season,” explained team manager Benoit Nogier. “We have been working on how to get the best use and performance out of Pirelli’s new tyres. This experience will be very useful for the rallies still to come.

” As the roads will be new for all the World Rally Championship competitors, the Citroën Junior Team crews expect to suffer less from their comparative lack of experience relative to the other crews.

Sebastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia, the winners of the recent Rally of Portugal continued their winning streak on the Rally della Lanterna (read our earlier story). “That was a different type of thing, but it’s all good for the confidence,” said Ogier, who is currently second in the World Championship standings. “Rally Bulgaria will be new for everyone so we are at less of a disadvantage even though we still lack experience.

From what we know the roads will be fast and quite flowing with a lot vegetation at the side of the stages. A lot of the corners will be hidden so it will be extremely important to have good pace notes.

” Ogier continued: “The second half of the season might not be so easy for us. The goal for this first asphalt rally will be to make progress and again get closer to the frontrunners, while hoping that we can challenge for a podium.

” The best result for Kimi Räikkönen and Kaj Lindström so far has been fifth in Turkey, and now they get to discover a new surface. “Now we start a new chapter,” said the former F1 World Champion. “After snow and gravel, here we are on asphalt. It’s something that I’m really looking forward to. I had a really good feeling during the tests and I hope to be able to show that on the roads in Bulgaria.”

Source: WRC