Citroen Sport has announced that rally ace Sebastien Loeb will only contest selected events of the FIA World Rally Championship next season, and revealed its intention to enter the World Touring Car Championship in 2014.
These announcements were made during the Paris International Auto Show, where Sebastien Loeb himself talked about his future.
The eight-time World Rally Champion, en route to a ninth title this season, will decrease his involvement in WRC, and will only contest selected events. The Rallye of Monte Carlo and the Rallye de France Alsace held on his home soil are done deals.
Mikko Hirvonen will therefore be elevated to Number One driver for Citroen Racing, and will have the possibility to focus on his quest to become World Champion himself.
The second works driver is still to be announced, but Thierry Neuville is set to join the Finn in the Citroen squad. However, the young Belgian will have to “give” his car to Loeb at certain events.
It was a big day for Citroen as it also confirmed a new partnership with Abu Dhabi. The arrival of such a amjor sponsor will help the French make on the financial side. Khalid Al Qassimi will make his WRC return with the backing of his country.
The other interesting announcement was made by Sebastien Loeb himself, who revealed the project of a World Touring Car Champiosnhip (WTCC) factory program for Citroën starting in 2014.
Loeb is a very good circuit driver and he created his own racing team in December 2010. Being the global ambassador of Citroen prevents him to race anything but Citroens. Loeb tested Yvan Muller's WTCC Cruze car, and decided to run Citroen's effort in that category.
Yves Matton, head of Citroën Sport, confirmed Citroën’s interest for the WTCC, which has races in countries such as China, Brazil, United States, Morocco, as well as and India and Russia in the future.
Citroën is already working on developping a WTCC car, and its involvement in this series will largely depends on the technical and financial partners it can attract, as well as the evolution of the WTCC technical regulations.
A last word about three-time WTCC champion Yvan Muller, a native of Alsace like Loeb. Muller will be without a drive for next year after Chevrolet's departure from the WTCC. The possible arrival of Citroen would represent a great opportunity for him.
These announcements were made during the Paris International Auto Show, where Sebastien Loeb himself talked about his future.
The eight-time World Rally Champion, en route to a ninth title this season, will decrease his involvement in WRC, and will only contest selected events. The Rallye of Monte Carlo and the Rallye de France Alsace held on his home soil are done deals.
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| Sebastien Loeb, 2012 Acropolis Rally. (Photo: WRC) |
Mikko Hirvonen will therefore be elevated to Number One driver for Citroen Racing, and will have the possibility to focus on his quest to become World Champion himself.
The second works driver is still to be announced, but Thierry Neuville is set to join the Finn in the Citroen squad. However, the young Belgian will have to “give” his car to Loeb at certain events.
It was a big day for Citroen as it also confirmed a new partnership with Abu Dhabi. The arrival of such a amjor sponsor will help the French make on the financial side. Khalid Al Qassimi will make his WRC return with the backing of his country.
The other interesting announcement was made by Sebastien Loeb himself, who revealed the project of a World Touring Car Champiosnhip (WTCC) factory program for Citroën starting in 2014.
Loeb is a very good circuit driver and he created his own racing team in December 2010. Being the global ambassador of Citroen prevents him to race anything but Citroens. Loeb tested Yvan Muller's WTCC Cruze car, and decided to run Citroen's effort in that category.
Yves Matton, head of Citroën Sport, confirmed Citroën’s interest for the WTCC, which has races in countries such as China, Brazil, United States, Morocco, as well as and India and Russia in the future.
Citroën is already working on developping a WTCC car, and its involvement in this series will largely depends on the technical and financial partners it can attract, as well as the evolution of the WTCC technical regulations.
A last word about three-time WTCC champion Yvan Muller, a native of Alsace like Loeb. Muller will be without a drive for next year after Chevrolet's departure from the WTCC. The possible arrival of Citroen would represent a great opportunity for him.