Citroën confirms Lefebvre and Breen until 2018

Kris Meeke therefore knows the identity of his teammates for the 2017 and 2018 seasons in WRC. The Briton, confirmed for several months as the bridgehead for Citroën Racing's return to the World Cup starting next year with the C3 WRC, will be lined up alongside Frenchman Stéphane Lefebvre, associated with Gabin Moeau, and Irishman Craig Breen and his co-pilot Scott Martin.

The two young hopefuls competed this year alternately in the events on the Abu Dhabi Team WRT program, and finally convinced Citroën Racing boss Yves Matton to extend them for the coming seasons.

“We had several scenarios regarding the choice of our crews for the future, specifies the director of the competition department of the chevron brand. With two young crews to complete the squad, we are probably not taking the easy route.

But this original solution corresponds well to Citroën's state of mind. Having seen them at work this season within the Abu Dhabi Total WRT team, we believe in the potential of Craig Breen and Stéphane Lefebvre.

They have the natural talent, motivation and hard work to win rallies. It is even a source of pride to bring these young drivers, who have been loyal to the PSA Group for a long time, to the highest level. »

If Kris Meeke will benefit from a full program starting at Monte-Carlo next January, Lefebvre and Breen will be lined up alternately in the second C3 WRC. A third car will be entered as soon as possible. On certain events, Khalid Al-Qassimi will also benefit from a C3.

This announcement also closes a door regarding the future of Thierry Neuville, tipped to potentially join Citroën in 2017. The Belgian could therefore well stay with Hyundai, as we mention in issue n°2083 of AUTOhebdo, available now in digital version and on newsstands.