Chris Atkinson to return to World Rally Championship in Germany with Mini Portugal squad
Chris Atkinson will drive Team Portugal's Mini in the remaining rounds of the World Rally Championship replacing Armindo Araujo
The former Subaru works driver has started two events this year: Rally Mexico with the Monster Ford team and Rally Finland in a Citroen DS3.
Araujo was expected to stay with the team all season, but the squad said it wanted to give him a break to "regain his focus".
"After our Rally Finland debrief and further conversations with Armindo since returning home, we decided that it was better for him to take a break, relax and regain his focus on the sport and how he approaches it," said team manager Bruno di Pianto.
"The decision was not taken lightly and was made on purely sporting grounds. It was not a personal decision and everyone in the team wishes Armindo all the best for the future."
Atkinson becomes the team's number one driver and he will be at the wheel of the factory-supported Mini WRC starting in Germany next weekend.
"Mini has provided me with an awesome opportunity to return to the world championship and I'm stoked to be back as a lead driver for a great manufacturer and for the remainder of the 2012 season," said the Australian, who is yet to drive the car.
"I love the Tarmac so it's great to know that three of the remaining five events are on the sealed surface, and I hope to take full advantage of my past experiences of the remaining rallies this year."
Previous article
Sebastien Ogier to race in VW Sciroccos at Nurburgring
Next article
Armindo Araujo to take legal action against WRC Mini squad
About this article
| Series | WRC |
| Teams | RK World Rally Team |
| Author | Pablo Elizalde |
Why the casualty of rallying's evolution should still be cherished
The WRC's support categories are in a process of streamlining that will spell the end of a formalised 2WD world championship-level category. While its relevance to the top level has been questioned for some time, that doesn't mean it should be swept quietly under the carpet
Why WRC's hybrid path could leave it at a crossroads
With all three major manufacturers committing to the World Rally Championship’s hybrid era from 2022, the future of the series is assured for now, but it could lead to trickier twists and turns further down the road
How Tanak froze out the competition at the Arctic Rally
Ott Tanak made up for a disastrous Monte Carlo Rally by leading all the way on the snow-kissed stages of the Arctic Rally Finland and in the process hit back at an event Toyota had been expected to dominate
What to expect from the WRC's venture to the Arctic
This week's Arctic Rally Finland will bring the World Rally Championship into new territory. And, almost without exception, the service park can't wait for the subzero challenge to commence
How Ogier achieved a fitting Monte Carlo farewell
Against pandemic-shaped odds, the World Rally Championship season opener went ahead in Monte Carlo last weekend as a familiar face again took top spot. But for an emotional Sebastien Ogier, his record-breaking eighth win meant more than most
What to look out for in the 2021 WRC
As the 2021 World Rally Championship prepares to launch amid tight COVID-19 restrictions in Monte Carlo, here are the eight things unrelated to the pandemic that you should keep an eye on this year
Evans on the talking points of WRC 2021
He came close to the title last year, and now Toyota's Elfyn Evans gives his verdict on what to expect from 2021 as the World Rally Championship prepares to reconvene for the Monte Carlo season opener
Why Britain's continued WRC absence is a wake-up call
OPINION: With Rally GB dropping off the World Rally Championship calendar for the second year in a row, one of Britain's best-attended sporting events faces an uncertain future. It's an unfortunate situation that points to troubling times ahead
