Kris Meeke: Is his WRC career over after Citroen drop him for the rest of 2018?

For the rest of this season his options appear limited although it’s not clear whether he is now effectively a free agent or has just been stood down from driving duties.

At the minute, the door looks shut at Toyota, who have two experienced heads in Jari-Matti Latvala and Ott Tanak alongside flying youngster Esapekka Lappi.

Hyundai seems unlikely, who already have one driver too many. Thierry Neuville and Andreas Mikkelsen look secure in their full-time seats with Dani Sordo and Hayden Paddon sharing the third car.

M-Sport Ford, where five-time WRC Champion Sebastien Ogier rules supreme, could be a potential option.

But Meeke turns 39 in July and age may be against him.

The enigmatic Dungannon man is arguably the quickest man in the sport but raw speed is not enough to ensure a genuine world title challenge.

His flat-out approach, allied to a straight-talking attitude, has endeared him to fans and the links to his mentor Colin McRae marks him out as the last of an old-school generation.

McRae and Richard Burns are the only Britons to have won more rallies than him but it remains to be seen whether Meeke is going to get the opportunity to add to his five WRC career wins.

Whatever happens, Meeke and Nagle can be proud of their achievements in rallying’s premier class, their 2016 win in Finland a standout highlight. With the nature of his departure, the WRC paddock will be hoping this isn’t the end.