As the first British driver to win the Intercontinental Rally Challenge, praise for Kris Meeke's IRC season has been streaming into Sanremo from the UK. First in line to congratulate him was Robert Reid, who co-drove Richard Burns to the 2001 World Rally Championship title.

"It's great to see a British driver back at the top of the sport," Reid said. "I've been really impressed with the quality of Kris' whole approach to the season, which has seen some real fightbacks on some of the events.

"He's proven the promise that has been evident for a long time," he added.

As a co-driver, Reid was also full of praise for Irishman Paul Nagle, who has guided Meeke throughout his championship-winning IRC campaign.

"I can appreciate what Paul's put in to their performances this season, he's done brilliantly," he said. "It's tough being out of the limelight but not out of the pressure, because part of the job is to take the pressure off the driver – without taking it off yourself!

"It's been a great team performance," Reid concluded.