Citroën driver Craig Breen is confident upgrades to his C3 WRC’s handling will pay dividends at this week’s Neste Rally Finland (26 - 29 July).

The Irishman, who claimed a Finland podium in 2016, has tried new front axle geometry in pre-event testing and during his third-place warm-up appearance at last week’s Rally Estonia.



He believes the new set-up will be of benefit on Finland’s ultra-fast gravel stages.



“Rally Estonia was perfect preparation for me. It gave us the opportunity to look at a few things and we also noted that with the new front geometry, the C3 WRC is even better balanced,” Breen explained.



“I feel very confident coming into this round, especially as it’s one of the world championship events where I have the most experience. Experience is absolutely critical here, even though some of the stages have changed for this year’s rally.”



The new front-end changes are the latest in a series of updates to improve the C3's set-up and grip, and follow the introduction of new rear axle geometry at April’s YPF Rally Argentina.

Citroën took a win and a third in 2016 in the DS 3

Team principal Pierre Budar hopes the upgrade, combined with the Finland experience of Breen, Mads Østberg and Khalid Al Qassimi, will allow the manufacturer to emulate its 2016 success when Kris Meeke won the event in the previous generation DS 3.



“You really need to throw off the shackles to do well as this rally,” Budar said. “In any event, having competed at Rally Estonia and completed four days of pre-event testing, we’ll certainly be well prepared.



“It’s also one of the rounds that our crews know best, and with the new upgrades introduced on the C3, I think we can hope to be among the frontrunners, although the competition will be very stiff.”



Head to WRC+ to watch All Live from Neste Rally Finland, including every stage broadcast live, breaking service park news and expert studio analysis.

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