Pirelli has elected to turn its back on the World Rally Championship next year in a move that will see it concentrate its efforts on Formula 1, AUTOSPORT has learned. The Italian tyre company won the battle to secure the supply deal for F1 next year, and it has already begun testing its rubber on a Toyota TF109. Despite its return to F1, Pirelli had been expected to remain in the World Rally Championship
Kris Meeke has signed to drive for Mini in the World Rally Championship next year, this week's AUTOSPORT magazine reveals. Reigning Intercontinental Rally Challenge champion Meeke denied any deal had been done with the Prodrive team that will run Mini's WRC return, but AUTOSPORT understands that an agreement is in place. A source close to Prodrive said: "The deal with Kris is done.
Former World Touring Car champion Yvan Muller is to contest the Rally of France in a Citroen Xsara WRC. The Frenchman has been given permission to drive the ex-Petter Solberg car by his WTCC employer Chevrolet. The Automeca team will run the Xsara on the event
Michelin has revealed to AUTOSPORT that it is looking to return to the World Rally Championship next year after a six-season absence, with the FIA's decision to allow open tyre competition in the series again giving the French firm a new opportunity. The French firm's competition director Nick Shorrock explained Michelin's plans to AUTOSPORT. Q.
Michelin's competitions director Nick Shorrock has revealed to AUTOSPORT that the French firm is bidding to return to the World Rally Championship for the first time since 2005.
Volkswagen motorsport director Kris Nissen says any decision by the German manufacturer to contest the World Rally Championship, will be made soon to avoid allowing other manufacturers to steal the march under the new rules. A decision on whether VW will come to the WRC is anticipated later this year, with Nissen saying the latest the announcement would be made is after next year's Dakar in January. The German manufacturer is still completing its evaluation of the benefit of the sport.
Indonesia's hopes of hosting a round of the World Rally Championship have taken a further knock, with the cancellation of its Asia-Pacific Rally Championship round. The Indonesian tourist board had been backing the nation's bid to return to the WRC for the first time since 1997. The decision had already been taken to cancel Rally Indonesia's WRC candidacy status for the September 25/26 event - and now the whole event has been halted.
Citroen team principal Olivier Quesnel has reiterated his desire to keep Kimi Raikkonen in the firm's Junior Team next season.
Citroen driver Dani Sordo says he has not yet confirmed his future plans with the French manufacturer - with a switch to the Ford team still believed to be a possibility for the Spaniard. Sordo is believed to have received a formal offer from Citroen, but while he has talked to Ford team principal Malcolm Wilson and motorsport chief Gerard Quinn, he says he has not received an offer from the Cumbrian-based outfit. Sordo said: "We talk [to Ford], but it's just like we are talking now, nothing official," he said.
Ford driver Mikko Hirvonen has urged Rally Germany organisers to reconsider the use of certain stretches of the Pazerplatte stage after he described them as dangerous at the weekend. The 29-mile stage looks like being the longest of the season, but Hirvonen was no fan of the difficult Baumholder test. Having retired from the event with transmission problems on Sunday, he said he would prefer sections of the stage to be changed before next season.