Citroen has confirmed that it will continue to compete in the
World Rally Championship in 2010 and 2011.
In an announcement ahead of the Neste Oil Rally Finland this weekend - coming just hours after Ford also said it would remain for a further two seasons - the French manufacturer noted that the decision to stay was based on the fact 'world rallying forms an inherent part of its DNA', allowing it to 'showcase its principle of creative technology'.
Furthermore having racked up four manufacturers' titles, five drivers' world championships and 58 victories the team's crews have demonstrated Citroen's 'performance, quality and desire to succeed all over the roads and special stages of the world', added the Total-backed outfit.
"In the current tricky financial climate, it is important to keep on expressing ourselves through motorsport and through the victories of our teams and cars," continued Olivier Quesnel, the director of
Citroen Racing.
"The
FIA World Rally Championship, where the costs remain contained, is an excellent promotional vehicle.
"Citroen Racing is delighted by the trust that has been placed in us by Citroen's board of directors and the PSA Group."
Meanwhile
Citroen are hopeful that
Sebastien Loeb and Dani Sordo will both remain in 2010, despite speculation that the former could switch to F1 with Scuderia Toro Rosso.
"We are currently working with our existing driver line-up to renew their contracts," Quesnel added.
"I am confident that
Sebastien Loeb and Dani Sordo will be continuing their adventure with
Citroen Racing into the future."
Unlike Ford however, which said it would use the Focus WRC next year and then switch to the Fiesta S2000 in 2011,
Citroen did not reveal its successor for the
Citroen C4 WRC.
