Kris Meeke 'didn't even expected podium' in Argentina
ByAutoSport
Updated 27/04/2015 at 13:41 GMT
Rally Argentina winner Kris Meeke says he never expected to even get near the podium on the South American event, having pledged to be cautious following recent accidents.
Kris Meeke (Citroën WRT) - Rally of Argentina 2015
Image credit: Eurosport
Meeke knew his career was on the line after crashing on all three previous World Rally Championship rounds this season, and that he had to get his Citroen to the finish in Villa Carlos Paz last weekend.
"All I wanted was points," he said.
"I was thinking of fifth or sixth something like that - just keep out of trouble and bring her to the finish.
"Winning was not something I'd even considered!
"I haven't been able to get to the finish line [previously in 2015] and for the manufacturers' [championship] it is so important to get to the end and get the points."
Meeke used the six-week break between Mexico and Argentina to analyse what had gone wrong in the early rallies.
After his tough start to the year, Meeke knew something had to change and the six-week gap between Mexico and Argentina gave him time to figure it out.
"The confidence in the driving was OK but something was stopping me winning a rally," he said.
"I knew I had to do something this year because with more than a year's experience and a lot of work and effort I was putting pressure on myself.
"Finally the long break between Mexico and here helped me.
"I cleared my head and came here with a clean sheet of paper because we had to make new pace notes for the whole rally and it seemed to work."
The Northern Irishman was quick to pay tribute to the Citroen team, which enjoyed its first one-two finish since Argentina in 2012.
"I have so many good guys around me," said Meeke.
"Without question we have a very strong car.
"The roads here, for me, were the roughest I have ever seen and the car has run without a problem.
"It is a credit to the team and to their experience.
"They are able to see everything that could possibly go wrong and between the stages they are always reminding me of what can happen. So it is invaluable to have that team behind you."
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