Citroën Racing has been a shift to their sports programs. will Not have official team next year in the WRC and 2016 will be the last season with an official presence in the WTCC. A series of moves that have left them without seats in the World Rally, Kris Meeke and Mads Ostberg -at least for the moment – and that within the WTCC have reduced the list of official drivers to two, José María ‘Pechito’ López and Yvan Muller. In the press release issued by Citroën, Sebastien Loeb was left out of the project of the WTCC to sign for Peugeot Sport and focus on the Dakar.
On paper, a logical move. Peugeot Sport has insisted greatly on having Sébastien Loeb full-time. Since he announced his presence with the Dakar at the wheel of a Peugeot 2008 DKR16, the training has sought a way to tie it to the nine times champion of the WRC with the end of exploit also your big heave media. And finally it seems to have gotten it, since Sébastien Loeb in addition to competing in the Dakar in the next month of January, we will also focus on the rides and playing in the World FIA Rally Cross Country.
however, the output of the WTCC seems to have not sit well with Sébastien Loeb. The French issued a statement that hinted at his discomfort: “I was surprised to learn that I was not going to defend the colors of Citroën Racing in 2016. We build the challenge of the WTCC, together with the personal goal of getting the title in three years. I feel disappointed that this adventure will end after two years because he had the will to win the title. Had been proven my competitiveness to board the C-Elysée with the four victories achieved in 2015. This beautiful story comes to an end, but I do not regret”.
After fifteen years at Citroën Racing, Sébastien Loeb leaves the discipline of the team to join the opposition in Peugeot Racing. The pilot would not confirm the projects that will be occupied in 2016 after getting six victories and 20 podium finishes in the WTCC, but their presence in the World Rally Cross Country is taken for granted. Neither abandon its role of ambassador of the PSA Group, and we doubt very much that does not end by participating in the development of the new World Rally Car Citroen. The firm will return to WRC in 2017 with a new vehicle.
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