Following an extremely successful period in the World Rally Championship, Citroën will try its luck on a different type of competition starting next year. The French carmaker has announced that it will enter the FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) from 2014, with Sébastien Loeb being the first confirmed driver of the works team.
Citroën’s switch to track racing is a new challenge for the constructor and its top driver, the nine-time world rally champion Sébastien Loeb. “Citroën Racing has spent the last few months looking in detail at the opportunity of going ahead with this programme,” said Frédéric Banzet, CEO of the Citroën Brand.
So what made the carmaker choose the WTCC? “The WTCC is based on several aspects that are essential to Citroën: extensive media coverage, regulations that keep costs down and a genuinely global race calendar,” explained Banzet. He added that the WTCC will help develop the brand in growth markets such as China, Russia and South America.
Citroën’s timing coincides with the introduction of a new generation of cars in the WTCC, more spectacular and more powerful, with the French carmaker being able to re-use a large part of its expertise, starting with the DS3 WRC’s 1.6-liter direct injection turbo engine. It is not yet clear yet which model nameplate Citroën will use in the WTCC.
“I can’t wait to get out on track in the car and start testing. I have used this transitional year to try out various experiences and to improve my track driving skills. I don’t expect to win straight away, but I am determined to get there one day,” said Loeb, who will use this year’s Pikes Peak hill-climb as training for the WTCC.
By Dan Mihalascu
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