New Citroen driver Sebastien Ogier says he understands the shortcomings of the C3 car following the latest private test ahead of the 2019 WRC season opener.
Following the two-day test in Portugal on gravel, the Frenchman had another two-day run on asphalt in the French Alps this past week in preparation for the start of the 2019 WRC season in January with Rallye Monte Carlo.
The reigning champion has moved teams in the winter and has to get into terms with the Citroen C3 car so as to challenge for the title again. The initial assessment from Ogier for the French-made C3 car doesn’t look hugely positive.
The Frenchman but adds that he knows where the team needs to improve with the work already in progress to showcase those improvements in time for the 2019 season to start. “There is definitely work,” he said after the recent running.
“I think it’s normal that when you swap cars you see differences. You see positives and also some negatives. There are always differences you need to adapt and some you probably can improve. That’s what we are working on already.
“There are things that need to be changed better to my taste. I think this car definitely showed some great speed in some conditions last year. But I think what’s missing, if you check the results and my impression, is maybe the car has to be able to be fast in more conditions.
“That’s what we need to improve. [Also] I am the one that’s changed teams and the others are staying where they are. That gives them the chance to be perfectly ready to start the next season.
“But for me I probably won’t be yet 100 percent or completely happy with my new car. Of course, I expect it to be challenging. But that’s also a motivation for me.” In addition, the task for Ogier will be huge with only Esapekka Lappi by his side to develop the C3.