Citroën announces big ambitions for WRC 2 in 2020

Citroën Racing may have abandoned the premier category of the World Rally Championship (WRC), the C3 R5s will be richly represented in the WRC 2 category from Monte-Carlo (January 23-26).

The spearhead will be Mads Østberg. The Norwegian, associated with his compatriot Torsten Eriksen, has no complexes and will aim for the title, with the PH Sport team. “We worked well on development last year with developments on the brakes, the ground connection and the performance of the engine,” explains the WRC 2 Pro vice-champion in 2019.

It's great to be continuing with everyone in the team. We worked hard on the car's development last year. Along with Torstein, our aim is to win as many rounds as possible and claim the title. Here's a little greeting from the Alps where we're testing today @OfficialWRC pic.twitter.com/qbSx3RYUzt

- Mads Østberg (@MadsOstberg) January 9, 2020

All these changes should give us a definite advantage this year and allow us to challenge for the title. With Torstein, our goal is clear: win as many rallies as possible to win the title. 

I am very happy that our cooperation with Citroën continues and I am excited to share this season with Yohan, having a teammate is always beneficial. I can’t wait to be at the start of Monte-Carlo, for this first rally of the season, we want to come back with a good result. »

Indeed, Mads Østberg will make common cause with Yohan rossel on the icy roads of the south-east of France. The outgoing winner of the French Rally Championship is part of the French FFSA Rally Team in 2020 and will evolve into WRC 3. 

“We will have to learn and above all not make mistakes with the aim of doing well in the rankings. I am delighted to have Mads as a teammate this season, his world experience is obviously a valuable help, particularly in Monte Carlo where the choice of tires will undoubtedly be a real challenge. I won the 2WD category last year and I can’t wait to discover this legendary rally with a 4WD. »

During Monte Carlo, four other Citroën C3 R5s will be entered, Yoann Bonato-Benjamin Boulloud, Éric Camilli-François-Xavier Buresi, Nicolas Ciamin-Yannick Roche and Pepe Lopez-. 

To Didier Clement, responsible for customer competition for Citroën Racing, explains the ambitions of the double chevron in 2020. “Continue our development at a sustained pace, increase our presence in the main national and international championships and allow drivers to shine at the wheel of C3 R5.

From the Monte Carlo rally, an emblematic rally for Citroën, we are happy to be able to count on the experienced and fast Mads Østberg who will be associated with the young French talent Yohan Rossel. 

They will be joined by four other drivers with equally high ambitions and performances. We are obviously happy with the enthusiasm surrounding the car and we can't wait to see C3 R5 take on this prestigious and demanding rally. »