Chris Atkinson will be back behind the wheel of a
Citroen World Rally Car for the first time since 2009 when he rejoins the WRC for Rally Finland next month.
The Australian, who appeared in Ireland in a C4 WRC in the opening round of the 2009 season, will be at the wheel of the Qatar
World Rally Team DS3 WRC normally used by Nasser Al-Attiyah, who is forced to miss the event due to his participation in the Olympic Games in London.
“We are really looking forward to racing with the Qatar
World Rally Team,” Atkinson, who will be partnered as normal by Stephne Prevot, said. “Competing in the best rally in the Championship in the best WRC is a superb opportunity and I can't wait to test the car to share my feeling for it with the team and give them my initial feedback.
“We don't want to get ahead of ourselves, but we have got everything it takes to go after a good result here.”
Benoit Nogier, head of
Citroen Racing Technologies, welcomed the news that Atkinson would be returning for the event.
“Ever since
Chris Atkinson took part in the 2009 Rally Ireland in a C4 WRC, we have kept in touch and maintained good relations with him,” he said. “As Nasser's
Citroen DS3 WRC was available for this rally, we offered Chris the chance to lease the car and compete for the Qatar
World Rally Team. We are therefore very pleased to have him back with us in one of our Customer Racing teams for one of the championship's flagship events.”