Meeke ’at an all time low’ after Portugal crash

Citroen’s Kris Meeke says crashing out of Rally de Portugal last weekend has left him at an all time low and desperate to find an answer to his accident-prone season so far.

Meeke blamed incorrect pace notes for the crash on stage seven, when his Citroen DS3 failed to negotiate a corner and tumbled off the road.

It was another setback for the Briton who is four rallies into his first full season with the Citroen Total Abu Dhabi squad. The year started well with a podium in Monte Carlo, but he crashed on the next three rounds – twice in Mexico.

“Yeah, it’s probably hit an all time low at the minute, and I have to hold my hands up,” Meeke said in a podcast interview with WRC Live.

“I’m trying so hard to make this opportunity work - and it’s not at the minute. We need a big reset to try to move forward. It’s not for a lack of trying. Behind the scenes I’m trying so much and putting in so much preparation. Maybe I have to try a different way.”

Meeke acknowledged that part of the problem might be the pressure he is putting on himself to both prove his speed and be a consistent finisher. “Having worked so hard for an opportunity and put in so much effort over the years, I’m desperate to make the most of it. That’s where it’s difficult to find the balance," he said.

“If you look at history, there are lots of drivers who in their first season struggle to find that balance. I’m going through that, I just hope I can find a way to put it all right.”

Meeke will get another clean sheet at Rally Argentina next month, only the second rally of the season he has driven before.

“I always knew Sweden, Mexico and Portugal, three rallies I hadn’t done before, were going to be tricky. They have turned out to be exceptional. From here on in at least I’ve driven every rally at least once. I’m hoping the familiarity will enable me to settle into a rhythm.”