Peugeot Rally Academy have finalised their 2016 programme for José Antonio Suarez and Jordan Berfa who won the 2015 208 Rally Cup, both drivers will compete on the FIA World Rally Championship stage in the WRC2 and WRC3 categories respectively.
Suarez had his season wrapped up before the last rally of the year at Rallye du Var, leading to his appointment as official driver for the Peugeot Rally Academy. With the 2016 season opener just weeks away, the Spaniard will take on Rallye Monte-Carlo behind the wheel of a Peugeot 208 T16 in the WRC2 category, contesting four other rounds throughout the year as he aims to continue the momentum on his 2015 season.
After narrowly missing out on the 2014 title, Berfa dominated the Junior class of the 208 Rally Cup in 2015 and will take on the WRC3 class in the Peugeot 208 R2 that he has been driving at three rounds – Monte-Carlo, Germany and France.
“For 2016, we were keen to focus even more closely on the development of young talents graduating from the 208 Rally Cup, by allowing them to progress directly to the world championship stage.” said Peugeot Sport Director Bruno Famin.
“José Antonio Suarez has already demonstrated his impressive raw speed, and I have no doubt that he will quickly get to grips with the 208 T16, which is one of the established WRC2 benchmarks on both gravel and asphalt. Jordan Berfa, meanwhile, will have at his disposal the potent 208 R2 – a car that he knows inside-out – as he bids to shine at international level!”
