Al-Attiyah Secures P-WRC Future

After keeping the headlines of the Dakar Rally earlier this year – until disqualified by the Argentine officials – Nasser Al-Attiyah managed to secure his seat inside the Production World Rally Championship for at least 3 more years. The Arab driver is expected to debut in this year's series as early as this very weekend, in Cyprus.

Al-Attiyah is no stranger to the P-WRC, as he used to master the series in 2006. However, following his world title 3 years ago, he failed to score a single win in the P-WRC. Not only that, but he spent his entire last season wanting to make the scoreboard. This year, he will be driving a Subaru Impreza WRX, which he took to the Kuweit Rally win earlier this year.

“The new car feels a lot better. We did have some problems with some mechanical issues, but they're all sorted now. I'm feeling much better. We have the speed, but, on this rally in Cyprus, I don't think it's about the speed - the key here is the consistency and getting to the end. It's going to be tough,” reckoned Al-Attiyah.

Like all the WRC participants this weekend, Al-Attiyah will have to tackle the asphalt stages on Friday with gravel-spec Pirelli tires. The WRC teams have committed to this decision in an effort to reduce costs for the Cyprus weekend, although most of the drivers did not agree with it. The Arab driver will come to Cyprus after his impressive performance in the FIA Middle East Rally Championship-qualifying Troodos Rally, where he took no less than 6 stage wins.

“I don't have so much experience of driving the asphalt stages on gravel tires, like we will tomorrow. This can be quite a tough test,” concluded Al-Attiyah.