Abu Dhabi drivers ready for Rally Sardegna test

In last year’s edition Shaikh Khalid Al Qassimi finished ninth in the WRC category. — Supplied photo

Abu Dhabi: After strengthening their provisional second position in the overall standings of the manufacturer’s championship in Portugal, Citroen Total Abu Dhabi World Rally Team heads to Italy to compete for the title of Rally Italia Sardegna (June 11 to 14) — Round 6 of FIA World Rally Championship.

The team is competing in three DS 3 WRCs led by Kris Meeke/Paul Nagle, Mads Ostberg/Jonas Andersson and UAE champion Shaikh Khalid Al Qassimi/Chris Patterson. In last year’s edition Shaikh Khalid finished 9^th in the WRC category and won the longest jump award. Also last year, Citroen Total Abu Dhabi WRT driver Ostberg finished in second place behind Frenchman Sebastien Ogier and ahead of Jari-Matti Latvala from team Volkswagen. Rally Sardegna features the longest stage in this year’s championship, the Monte Lerno stage, known as “the trap” which features the hair-raising “Micky’s Jump”.

Al Qassimi said: “There doesn’t appear to be much difference between this year’s rally compared to last; most of the stages are the same so we will benefit from last years’ experience, especially on the Monte Lerno stage. Rally Sardegna is one of the team’s favorites.”