WRC - Corsica: Kubica fastest at rainy shakedown

The fastest driver on this morning’s shakedown of Tour de Corse, 11th round of World Rally Championship, was Robert Kubica. Polish driver in Ford Fiesta RS WRC needed 2.19.0 minutes  to pass 3.88km-long climb above Poggio di Venaco village. Citroen’s Kris Meeke was 0.8s slower and Volkswagen’s Jari-Matti Latvala was third, half a second slower than Meeke.

Drivers faced real autumn conditions when came out of the service park on Corte. After heavy rain overnight conditions in the morning were slightly better, but still with fog, rain and mud. Robert Kubica was in the mood from beginning, setting the fastest time (2.24.3) in the first run, one second faster than Hyundai drivers Thierry Neuville and Dani Sordo.

In second run Kubica improved by a second per kilometre and set the time 2.20.5, with Sebastien Ogier and Kris Meeke one second slower. In third attempt Kubica lowered the benchmark to 2.19.0m. In WRC2 class fastest was Pontus Tidemand (Škoda Fabia R5), ahead Craig Breen (Peugeot 208 T16) and Armin Kremer (Škoda Fabia R5).

After the shakedown crews will go to Ajaccio for this afternoon’s ceremonial start. Competitive action will start tomorrow with first special stage scheduled to start in 9.23.