Citroen’s director general Frederic Banzet has denied that there is any in-fighting between Sebastien Loeb and Sebastien Ogier as the French firm chases a fourth consecutive manufacturers’ title this season.
Loeb and Ogier are first and third in the drivers’ championship, with both having won two rounds of this year’s series. Ever since Loeb suggested Ogier would be better served moving to Ford in the middle of last year, sources close to the team say the atmosphere has become strained between the two. But Banzet insisted that was not the case.
“I feel there is a very good atmosphere in the team, first,” Banzet told AUTOSPORT. “So, whatever you and your colleagues are saying, I feel is not true when I am in the team.
“And secondly, I think they are both professionals and they do their job for the brand. They are on an equal level with the contract and they have been told by Olivier [Quesnel, team principal] that their job is to stay on the road.”
Success for Citroen in its year-long battle with Ford would mean the Paris-based team becoming the first manufacturer since Lancia in 1991 to win four straight makes’ crowns.
Autosport.com