Abu Dhabi Total boss Sheikh Khalid Al Qassimi hails historic Kris Meeke win as defining moment for rallying in the UAE

Abu Dhabi Total World Rally Team boss Sheikh Khalid Al Qassimi has described the superb success of drivers Kris Meeke and Craig Breen at Rally Finland as a “defining” moment for the team, sport and the UAE.

Northern Irishman Meeke, 37, triumphed Sunday to become the first Briton to win the race. In addition, Irishman Breen finished third as Abu Dhabi attained two podium places.

Al Qassimi, who was instrumental in its foray into the World Rally Championship in 2013, predicts even greater things lie ahead for the team.

“This double podium is a defining moment for Abu Dhabi Total WRT, the sport and Abu Dhabi,” said the 44-year-old, who made his own WRC debut in 2007 and also participated in Finland in the team’s third vehicle.

“The result places an imprint on the WRC calendar. I am so proud of Kris and Craig. I have always had great faith in both drivers and I know they are the future of the sport. I was so preoccupied with the prospect of a double podium for the team that I was just cruising towards the end of the weekend.

“This result proves that we have the pace to challenge the best in the business going forward and I am sure that there are greater things to come. It is very exciting for the team.”

Star man Meeke was delighted to finish ahead of home-crowd favourite Jari-Matti Latvala, a three-time winner of his native rally.

“A little bit crazy to be honest. This is the home of rally and Ouninpohja is the holy grail of stages,” said Meeke.

“To win it how we did – incredible. I’ve been enjoying it like a little kid. It’s been a team effort in the car too – Paul’s (Nagle, co-driver) done an incredible job. What a result.”

Meeke took charge of the rally from the word go, steering his Citroen DS 3 WRC into an 18-second lead at the close of day one and widening the gap at the top to 41 seconds going into the overnight halt on day two.

On the final day, it was all about defending the number one spot and the 37-year-old adopted a variation of caution and aggression to ensure his lead remained intact, going into the service break with a cushion of 34.5 seconds.

Irishman Breen dedicated his third-place finish to his late co-driver Gareth Roberts. The Welshman died in June 2012 at the Targa Florio Rally, a round of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge, in Italy.

“I’m missing my main man and I know he’s looking down on me. When the rally began I never expected to be on the podium; it is a great feeling,” said Breen.