December 7, 2016 – Nasser Al-Attiyah wants to rejoin the World Rally Championship next year in a Volkswagen Polo R WRC that the German manufacturer had built before pulling out of the championship.
The two-time WRC2 champion confirmed that he is working on a deal with Volkswagen that could see him compete in the full 2017 WRC season in a privately-run team backed by the state of Qatar.
“We are trying to drive the new Polo R 2017. As you know, Qatar has some shares in the VW Group.” he revealed to motorsport.com. “I met the officials here in Qatar and we are trying to make that possible. If it’s possible, then why not? If we get the confirmation, then I’ll do the full WRC season next year.”
Should the Volkswagen deal not work out, Al-Attiyah hinted that he might join the WRC Trophy category that was created for pre-2017 rally cars.
Al-Attiyah has a rich history in the WRC, competing in the championship since 2004. His highest finishing position is 4th place overall in the 2012 Rally Portugal onboard a Citroen DS3 WRC.
He earned back-to-back WRC2 titles in 2014 and 2015 driving a Ford Fiesta RRC, before switching to a Skoda Fabia R5 in the second half of 2015. The two-time Dakar Rally winner skipped the 2016 season to focus on the Rio Olympics.