Citroen denies Sainz reports.
Citroen Sport has denied reports that two time World Rally champion Carlos Sainz has reached an agreement to race with the team in next year's WRC.
BBC Sport Online claimed today that reports from Madrid indicated that the deal is signed and sealed, and that the French outfit will field three full-time cars in 2003, one for Colin McRae, one for Sebastien Loeb and now one for Sainz.
The BBC also added that Telefonica, the Spanish telecom company, is believed to have helped Sainz secure the seat and is believed to be footing the bill for the third Xsara WRC.
Citroen Sport has denied reports that two time World Rally champion Carlos Sainz has reached an agreement to race with the team in next year's WRC.
BBC Sport Online claimed today that reports from Madrid indicated that the deal is signed and sealed, and that the French outfit will field three full-time cars in 2003, one for Colin McRae, one for Sebastien Loeb and now one for Sainz.
The BBC also added that Telefonica, the Spanish telecom company, is believed to have helped Sainz secure the seat and is believed to be footing the bill for the third Xsara WRC.
Citroen, however, denied the story when contacted by Crash.net, adding that, although the Spaniard tested for the team last week, no deal has yet been signed.
Sainz has taken 23 World Rally victories to date, winning the World Rally Championship with Toyota in 1990 and 1992. This year, racing for Ford, he finished third in the WRC Drivers' Championship with 36 points.
At the moment it is unclear what the future will hold for the 40-year old, although it is unlikely that he will stay with Ford, as Markko Martin is expected to lead the team in 2003, with support from Francois Duval and Mikko Hirvonen.
