Future sole manufacturer of the WRC, Pirelli will resume its test program to prepare for 2021 in mid-July. The Milan firm has unveiled the package chosen to carry out these tests, when it needed a car sufficiently representative of needs as well as an experienced driver behind the wheel. Among the candidates mentioned recently, Andreas Mikkelsen have been selected. The 31-year-old Norwegian will therefore conduct these tests with his usual co-pilot, Anders Jæger.
Regarding the car, Pirelli selected the Citroën C3 WRC, which will display a distinctive livery in the brand’s colors from the first laps planned in Sardinia. This choice seems quite natural since the French manufacturer withdrew from the discipline at the end of last season but can offer a very recent car and in line with the current level of performance in the championship.
The objective of the tests to come is obviously to collect a maximum of data, after a development which took a little delay due to the coronavirus crisis. In Sardinia, on a particularly abrasive surface and at high temperatures, Mikkelsen will test hard tires. Pirelli will conduct its test program both on land and on asphalt.
“We have selected the best driver-car combination to see where we are in our development, which has continued unabated through laboratory tests throughout containment”, explains Terenzio Testoni, director of rally activities at Pirelli, on the WRC official website. “The C3 WRC, which is not currently used in the world, is extremely representative in terms of performance and allows us to develop 2021 tires fairly for everyone. It is a priority for any single manufacturer. Andreas is also a experienced driver recognized for his professionalism and his return to the tires. They will have to demonstrate both performance and reliability to offer a complete package, which is always the biggest challenge in rallying. “
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