Mads Østberg: “My last option for a WRC contract is gone”

Citroën Racing's announcement to recruit Sébastien Ogier and Esapekka Lappi for the 2019 season in WRC had almost automatically closed the doors of the French stable at Mads Ostberg, author of a partial season with the Reds.

Especially since the presence of a third car, which could have seen Sébastien Loeb on certain tests, had still not been confirmed by the framing of the chevron mark.

And it was via a message on Facebook that the Norwegian clarified part of his future for 2019, also mentioning the situation of the two cars at Citroën.

“As you all probably know by now, Citroën Racing has decided to only enter two cars in the championship next year, comments Mads Ostberg. Without a 3rd car, my last option for a WRC contract is gone.

I'm really sorry and disappointed right now. I felt at home on the team and happy with the way we were moving forward together. Thank you to all the great people at Citroën Racing for the 2018 season which started with a rally but ended with eight innings.

Now is the time to regroup and try to come back. I've done it before and I can do it again! I am open to different possibilities, but the WRC is of course what is close to my heart.

Now it’s time to go back to the “drawing board” to figure out how to make my way forward. I'm far from done with rally driving. In fact, I feel like I've never been better. So if you have a car and a team, consider me. No suggestions? »

Mads Østberg had in fact experienced a similar situation at the end of 2016, then not retained by M-Sport. The Norwegian competed for a partial season last year in a Ford Fiesta WRC from M-Sport with the support of the family team Adapta Motorsport.

WRC 2 could be an option for the winner of the 2012 Rally Portugal, as confirmed on Twitter.

Yes, I would consider it

- Mads Østberg (@MadsOstberg) November 30, 2018