Yves Matton leaves Citroën Racing

Major upheaval in the Citroën Racing clan a few days before the opening of the 2018 World Rally Championship season. Yves matton, head of the competition division of the chevron brand, is leaving his post to join the FIA ​​where he will become director of rallies from February 7.

Yves Matton will be "responsible for the strategic vision of rallies and cross-country rallies at all levels, from the grassroots with amateurs up to the regional level and finally the pinnacles of these disciplines, the FIA ​​World Rally Championship and the FIA Cross-Country Rallies World Cup, and will also be responsible for the administration and regulatory management of the associated FIA championships and sporting commissions. » as stated in the press release.

Arriving at the head of Citroën Racing in 2012 to replace Olivier Quesnel, the Belgian climbed the ranks within the French firm, notably through the positions of head of the Customer Competition department and Team Manager.

When Olivier Quesnel was appointed, Yves Matton left Citroën for a time to found his company MY Racing, which managed the distribution of Customer Competition parts, before returning at the start of 2012.

Under his leadership, Sébastien Loeb won his last title WRC in 2012 before Citroën turned to the WTCC in 2014 with the success of José Maria Lopez. The brand then made its return to the WRC last year with the new C3.

Pierre Budar promoted internally

Yves Matton will be replaced in his role at Citroën Racing by Pierre Budard. The Frenchman joined PSA in 1989 as an engineer before becoming the team's official 309 Group N driver. Peugeot Talbot Sport in 1991.

Pierre Budar also initiated the department of sports road versions (DS3 Racing, 208 GTi 30th, 308 GTi), before also managing Customer Competition and the development of the recent 308 TCR and C3 R5.

“The PSA Group gave me a unique opportunity to combine my passion for motorsport with a career as an engineer, comments Pierre Budar. I never imagined one day leading one of the greatest competitive teams in the world.

I appreciate the challenge presented to me at the head of an extraordinary team and I will work to obtain the best from the talents that make it up. »