Citroën leaves the WRC

There will therefore be no Citroën C3 lined up in WRC in 2020. Citroën Racing confirmed this Wednesday morning the end of its WRC program with immediate effect, in the wake of a 2019 season nevertheless full of hopes with the arrival last winter of Sébastien Ogier.

But the world champion, winner of entry into the Rally Monte-Carlo was then unable to defend its crown despite two other victories in Mexico and Turkey. With the points collected by Ogier and Esapekka Lappi, the chevron brand fell to 3rd place in the Manufacturers' ranking behind Hyundai et Toyota.

Citroën explains that « following the decision of Sébastien Ogier to leave the team at the end of this 2019 WRC season, the brand has decided to put an end to its WRC sporting program in 2020 due to the absence of a top driver available for the 2020 season. »

“This is obviously a situation that we did not want, but we could not envisage the 2020 season without Sébastien,” comments Linda Jackson, director of Citroën. I would like to thank the Citroën Racing teams for their passion and commitment.

Part of Citroën's DNA is closely linked to rallying and we are proud to be one of the most successful brands in WRC history with no fewer than 102 victories and 8 manufacturers' titles. »

Citroën will, however, not completely leave the Rally scene by reaffirming its support and an amplified commitment to C3 R5 customers around the world, while specifying that « This decision will allow Citroën to strengthen its marketing resources on its brand strategy to respond to the challenges of the energy transition with the launch of a new generation of electrified models from 2020.

Rumors about a possible end to the WRC program began several days ago. Jean-Marc Finot, director of PSA Motorsport, then indicated that in all cases, the WRC program would not go until 2022 with the arrival of hybridization.

An announcement which effectively places Sébastien Ogier and Esapekka Lappi on the transfer market, with the Frenchman possibly leaving for Toyota Gazoo Racing, which lost Ott Tänak, world champion, and new recruit for Hyundai Motorsport.

In the PSA clan, the sporting aspect will not be completely hidden, since the confirmation came last week on the return of Peugeot Sport to the 24 Hours of Le Mans and in Endurance via the Hypercar regulations.