Fiat in the WRC

[SteveGales]

Or rather that should be 'not in the WRC'

Disappointing news in this weeks Motorsport News that the proposed return of Fiat/Abarth to the WRC from 2011 has been scrapped.
The usual reason of the financial climate been given and indeed the current programme will be scaled back in the IRC, the series Kris Meeke has just won in a Peugeot and european championships next year.
It seems a lot of resources are being diverted to the various Fiat Abarth 500 Trofeo one-make series accross Europe next year.

Shame, it would have been good to see Fiat back in top flight rallying , especially if they were back in Martini colours!The WRC certainly
could do with more than the current two manufacturer's only.

Steve

[lancialulu]

And with Raikanon driving too....

Tim

[SteveGales]

It seems Raikkonen is being strongly linked to a drive with Citroen in a C4 WRC for next year. The car will be entered  by the Citroen
Junior Team but still prepared at the team's headquarters.

Apparently Kimi was very impressive on Rally Finland in a Super 2000 Abarth earlier on in the year. The general opinion being the speed is
definately there but he may struggle adapting to pacenotes to start with.

Should be interesting , all we need now is Valentino Rossi to join him in the series, then it might be worth watching again!

Steve

[SteveGales]

Quick update....

Kimi Raikkonen has been confirmed as a Citroen Junior team member for a full season in the WRC next year,
with the possibility of moving up to partner Sebastion Loeb in the main factory team in 2011.

Steve