Abu Dhabi: Citroen Total Abu Dhabi World Rally Team crew Kris Meeke and Paul Nagle scored their third podium finish of the season with a superb third-place finish in Rally Finland, the eighth round of the 2014 World Rally Championship (WRC).
The Northern Irishman started the short final leg in third place, comfortably clear of his nearest pursuer and able to keep a watching brief on the hectic scrap for victory between Finn Jari-Matti Latvala and reigning world champion Sebastien Ogier.
Neither of the leading Volkswagens tripped up during the three stages on Sunday’s schedule. Meeke maintained a strong pace throughout and set the third-fastest time on the final stage to gain an extra point.
However, it was the podium finish that really mattered, particularly since Meeke had crashed out in the penultimate stage of this event last year after a similarly strong performance.
“It’s a pretty special result,” Meeke said. “This is one of the biggest rallies of them all, so it’s great to get a podium here.
“But we’re still not near perfection — Jari-Matti has been the epitome of perfection in driving a rally car this weekend. Until I get there I’ll keep working on it.”
Abu Dhabi teammate Mads Ostberg battled hard to regain fourth position and at one stage moved clear of Mikko Hirvonen. But his challenge ground to a halt when an impact after landing a jump damaged his car’s roll cage on stage 18. Diagnosed at the midday service, the problem forced the Norwegian out of the rally.
The next round of the 2014 WRC is Rally Deutschland, which takes place on August 21 to 24.
