Northern Ireland’s Kris Meeke, backed by a rousing performance at Coates Hire Rally Australia, is confident of retaining his seat at Citroen’s World Rally Team in 2015.

Meeke had shown blistering pace to lead the rally after the opening day and win three of the 20 special stages.

Hopes of a podium faded however when stewards slapped a one minute penalty on him and co-driver Paul Nagle for an excessive cut on a left-hand corner at the end of the Valla stage on Saturday.

Under 2s from third placed VW driver Andreas Mikkelsen at the time, Meeke dropped to fifth before clawing his way back with decent pace through the power stage to finish the rally in fourth.

Meeke feels he has done a solid job and is hopeful of being retained for next year’s line-up in the Yves Matton-run squad.

Prior to Australia, he was on for a win in Germany, seeing VW stars Sebastien Ogier and Jari-Matti Latvala come to grief however he too crashed out.

“Yes we had a blip in Germany but without that blip and the penalty here (Australia) it would have been a win and a third which wouldn’t have been bad,” Meeke said.

“I hope it’s a step in the right direction for sure.

“Yves (Matton) was very keen to see how I returned to events. In Finland we proved something and in Germany we were quite strong and here (Rally Australia) also.”

Citroen undertook a test before heading to Australia in preparation for the tarmac French rally early next month which has buoyed Meeke’s confidence.

“We’ve already done the test for France before we arrived here.

“The new tyre, I feel particularly good with it.”

Meeke says he is not under instruction to drive within himself and contends that if there are further improvements with the DS3, he will be in a position to challenge if given the chance next year.

“To be honest I’m not on a leash. I’m just trying to find my own rhythm and be consistent. It’s coming.”

“I think here everyone can see us moving in the right direction.”

Round 11 of the World Rally Championship in France is scheduled from October 2-5.