MATOSINHOS, Portugal: Britain’s Kris Meeke returned from a two-rally absence to win the Rally of Portugal on Sunday.
The Briton, who missed the previous two WRC rounds in the Americas, led for all but the first of the 19 speed tests to win the four-day rough road event in northern Portugal by 29.7sec in Citroen’s DS 3.
It was his second world success after triumphing in Argentina last year.
“An almost perfect weekend — huge thanks to my team. We made the most of the position we were in and I couldn’t have done any more,” said Meeke.
“It shows the DS 3 is still a great car. For me too it’s another step. I’m really, really excited about 2017!“
Norway’s Andreas Mikkelsen outpaced teammate and championship leader Sebastien Ogier on the final day to take second in a Volkswagen Polo R, relegating the Frenchman to the last step of the podium by 4.8sec.
“I had another puncture, so two and only one spare. Luckily it was a slow puncture and I was able to get enough air in for the stage,” bemoaned Ogier.
Three-time defending world champion Ogier still holds a 47-point lead over Mikkelsen in the drivers’ standings, after finishing on the podium in all five of the rallies so far this season.
The Briton, who missed the previous two WRC rounds in the Americas, led for all but the first of the 19 speed tests to win the four-day rough road event in northern Portugal by 29.7sec in Citroen’s DS 3.
It was his second world success after triumphing in Argentina last year.
“An almost perfect weekend — huge thanks to my team. We made the most of the position we were in and I couldn’t have done any more,” said Meeke.
“It shows the DS 3 is still a great car. For me too it’s another step. I’m really, really excited about 2017!“
Norway’s Andreas Mikkelsen outpaced teammate and championship leader Sebastien Ogier on the final day to take second in a Volkswagen Polo R, relegating the Frenchman to the last step of the podium by 4.8sec.
“I had another puncture, so two and only one spare. Luckily it was a slow puncture and I was able to get enough air in for the stage,” bemoaned Ogier.
Three-time defending world champion Ogier still holds a 47-point lead over Mikkelsen in the drivers’ standings, after finishing on the podium in all five of the rallies so far this season.
