Andreas Mikkelsen has good reason to feel confident of a strong result at Rally Poland. He won once and was twice runner-up in the rally in the last three years. Due to a delay in sourcing the new components, his C3 WRC will be the only one to have the newly-homologated ‘joker’. If roads are dry, the Norwegian is also likely to benefit from a good road position on day one, giving him a chance to be well placed for the following legs.
“We had a very good test session last week”, Mikkelsen said
“After spending two days in the car, on the kind of roads we’ll encounter in the rally, I defined a set-up that matches my driving style. Obviously, there is still work to do, but I think Craig [Breen] and Stéphane [Lefebvre] were also pleased with the changes.”
“Poland is my favourite rally: I was runner-up in 2014 and 2015, and then won here in 2016. I feel confident on these roads where, as a driver, you really need to commit. After learning about the car at Rally Sardegna, I hope I can fight among the frontrunners this time out. Many factors – such as the weather, the dust and the running order – can affect the outcome of the race, but I’m hoping to go for a podium spot if everything goes well”, Mikkelsen added.
@AMikkelsenRally on the way to P1 @rajdpolski 2016 ? Thursday #RallyPoland 2017 kicks off ?? 5 Stages will be LIVE on WRC+ pic.twitter.com/EHzJqqREqr
— WRC (@OfficialWRC) June 24, 2017
Seventh at this rally in 2016, Craig Breen will also be returning to an event that he likes
With the fast, flowing roads suited to his driving style, the Irishman will be looking for a similar result to the fifth places he secured in Monte-Carlo, Sweden, Corsica and Portugal. Craig currently lies seventh in the Drivers’ World Championship.
“After the rough, winding roads of Sardinia, pre-event testing gave me the chance to readjust to the fast, flowing roads in Poland. Andreas explored some new ideas during testing, which seems to be a move in the right direction. I’m pleased to be competing at a rally where I don’t have to learn about everything. Last year, this event marked something of a turning point in my season. This is where I laid the foundations for my podium in Finland. I feel more confident coming into this event than I did before the last three rallies and I think I can up my pace here. Following a series of fifth places, I’d love to get a bit closer to the podium.”
Ladies and gentlemen, I am proud to present you the first in a series of onboards from Sunday! Patrick and myself… https://t.co/tPvS8qm7hy
— Craig Breen (@Craig_Breen) June 27, 2017
After missing Rally Sardegna, Lefebvre returns to action in the C3 WRC
Like his team-mates, the young Frenchman feels comfortable on the Polish roads. In 2016, he was running in a fine seventh place before getting caught out during the particularly muddy third leg. Stéphane will also have a good starting position on day one… provided the fine weather holds up!
“Like Andreas and Craig, I think we made progress during testing”, Lefebvre said Lefebvre.” I really like Rally Poland. I have been quick here in the last three years, regardless of the category. Last year, I also had the pleasure of claiming my first proper stage win in the WRC, as the leaders were fighting for first place. I know how to drive on these roads and my confidence was boosted by the test sessions. The stages are quite similar to those in Finland, with narrower roads and looser surfaces. There are also long sections through the fields, which are very fast but with few landmarks. My goal is to make it to the finish and put an end to the poor run of results I’ve had recently.”
? #OBC taken during our @rajdpolski PET. RT if you want another one! #RallyPoland #C3WRC pic.twitter.com/1qrB4AsYBX
— Stéphane Lefebvre (@SLefebvreRallye) June 20, 2017
