Kris Meeke eyes 2014 Citroen WRC chance
Kris Meeke could put himself into contention for a 2014 factory Citroen World Rally Championship drive if he impresses on Rally Finland next month
The Northern Irishman will replace Khalid Al-Qassimi in the Abu Dhabi-branded Citroen team on the next round of the championship and he is determined to try to turn what is, for now, a one-off opportunity into something longer-term.
Neither of Citroen's current drivers Mikko Hirvonen or Dani Sordo are confirmed for next season and, privately, the team is known to be disillusioned with the performance the pair have turned in so far this season.
AUTOSPORT opinion: drivers are letting Citroen down
Sebastien Loeb is still Citroen's top scorer, despite contesting just three rounds of the series compared with Hirvonen and Sordo's seven.
Citroen team principal Yves Matton confirmed to AUTOSPORT that he will run Al-Qassimi and two frontline drivers next season.
Some factions inside the French firm have acknowledged Meeke's potential and admit he could be an alternative for Citroen in 2014.
Meeke said: "I've never stopped working to try and get back to the WRC. Everything I have done has been towards this moment and now I want to make sure I can stay there.
"Obviously, the priority for me in Finland is to bring the car home and to show some progression in my pace.
"I think there are some openings for next year, nothing is decided at some of the teams and this is a great chance for me to show what I can still do at this level."
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