VW questions value of Meeke's Finland win

The VW chief's comments continue his invective against the FIA's WRC running order regulations, which force his championship leader Sebastien Ogier to run first on the dusty roads for the first two days of every round.

Capito previously claimed Meeke's Portugal victory devalued the championship and predicted before Finland that the Citroen driver was certain to win as he was starting eighth - his part-time 2016 programme keeping him low in the drivers' standings.

"Kris can't be happy with this win," Capito argued.

"If it's predictable [conditions] and he doesn't do a major mistake, what is the value of this win?

"This is why he was pissed off that I said there was no chance for anybody else to win.

"It devalues it - it does, it's a fact. Kris could only lose in Finland.

"If he didn't win, if he finished second, he would be a complete idiot."

Capito, who is set to leave VW to take up a new role at the McLaren Formula 1 team shortly, remains convinced no one in the top five in the championship has a shot at winning a gravel rally at present.

"Who is interested in this fight?" he asked. "Publicly, nobody.

"If the top five had consistent conditions, the top five would fight and it would be great.

"This fight [in Finland] was over on Friday lunchtime.

"It's completely wrong that if you win a rally you move into the top five and then have no chance to fight on the next rally.

"Look how close the fight was for the bottom step of the podium, wouldn't it be better if this was the fight for the win?"

When Capito's comments were put to Meeke, he replied: "I'll see you next year".

Clarity in the running order debate will come from the World Rally Championship Commission meeting in Geneva at the end of August, with confirmation of any changes for 2017 due at the World Motor Sport Council in Paris on September 28.

In the meantime there will be some respite in the arguments as the next three rounds in Germany, China and France take place on asphalt.