Sébastien Loeb and Citroën will make their World Touring Car Championship debut in 2014, the French Manufacturer announced today (June 25th).
Citroën first admitted it was considering joining the World Touring Car Championship during the 2012 Paris Motor Show and the announcement marks the first time that Citroën will compete on an international track racing Championship, having been a mainstay of the FIA World Rally Championship for a number of years.
For Loeb its marks a new chapter in his career. Having been a multiple WRC Champion for Citroën in the Xsara, C4 and DS3 WRC, he is contesting selected events in the 2013 campaign while trying out various other series to help adapt the switch to circuit racing.
“First of all, I am pleased that this has been confirmed,” explains Loeb. “It’s a bit of a dream to think that we are going to write a new chapter in our history. I can’t wait to get out on track in the car and start testing.
“I have used this transitional year to try out various experiences and to improve my track driving skills. I don’t expect to win straight away, but I am determined to get there one day.”
Citroën’s entry into the WTCC coincides with the new regulations being brought in by the FIA for the WTCC. While the car of choice hasn’t been announced, certain aspects from the WRC operation will be used in the WTCC project.
“Competing in a category for the first time, starting from scratch, gives our division a superb challenge,” confirmed Yves Matton, Citroën Racing Team Principal.
“Having said that, we will be able to re-use a large part of our existing expertise, starting with the DS3 WRC’s 1.6-litre direct injection turbo engine. Work has already begun in our Versailles factory and is set to be stepped up in the coming weeks, with the first tests of our car and the start of our development programme to prepare for the 2014 season.
“Obviously, we’re still committed to rallying and we’ll continue to work hard to try and get the best possible result in 2013. Our partnership with Abu Dhabi is set to be reinforced, enabling us to continue to compete in WRC with a new system and with new objectives,” Matton concludes.
The announcement also confirms that Total will be on board for the move into the World Touring Car Championship and that the decision has come at the end of months of evaluating whether to join the series.
“Citroën Racing has spent the last few months looking in detail at the opportunity of going ahead with this programme,” revealed Frédéric Banzet, CEO of the Citroën Brand. “The WTCC is based on several aspects that are essential to Citroën: extensive media coverage, regulations that keep costs down and a genuinely global race calendar.
“Our involvement in this championship will give us not only another chance to showcase our Créative Technologie but it will also help us to develop the Brand in promising, growth markets such as China, Russia and South America. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our longstanding partner, Total, who will remain at our side for this new adventure,” Banzet concludes.
Citroën next take to the rally stages over the 1st -3rd August with the Neste Oil Rally Finland while Loeb has one final WRC appearance scheduled in for 2013, his home event over the 3rd – 6th October, Rallye de France-Alsace.