Considered more of a step for most drivers on their way to the WRC, the IRC hosted its first round of the new season this weekend, at Monte Carlo. Unlike his former teammate Petter Solberg, Atkinson is looking at any chance of racing this season, as he is yet to find out how many events (if any) will he be driving for Citroen Junior Team this year.
“I'd seriously consider a drive here in this championship. There are only two manufacturers in WRC at the moment. I think, as a driver who has finished on the podium in WRC, I could be valuable to the IRC. This is my job, I'm a professional rally driver and I've been a factory driver for six years now, the last four of those with Subaru,” said Atkonson, according to the autosport.com
“What's happening this year is a small blip. If there is a drive available, I'd be interested. The cars look interesting, okay they're not as quick as the WRC cars, but even when I drove a Group N car we were committed. I'm not going to say we'd come here and win, but we could put on a good show which would be of real value to someone,” added the Australian.
His professional future with Citroen is yet to be decided, but it is believed that the French team will opt for younger drivers for the upcoming events of the WRC, as announced by the team principal at launch.
“It is an M2 team which will predominantly run drivers who are currently learning the sport, and their average age will be 22,” had stated Citroen Sport Technologies Manager Benoit Nogier just before Christmas, when the Junior Team was launched.
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