Citroen’s future involvement in the World Rally Championship has been secured thanks to a partnership with Abu Dhabi, which has been announced at the 2012 Paris Motor Show this morning.
The French automaker’s future in the sport looked uncertain, with road car sales dropping 13 per cent in 2011 and general director of Citroen Frederic Banzet not confirming any plans for 2013.
However, in a statement issued earlier today, Citroen confirmed their presence in WRC next year, and that eight-time world champion Sebastien Loeb will be retiring from his full-time WRC program. This leaves Mikko Hirvonen to lead the Citroen program alongside another yet-to-be-assigned full-time driver.
The deal with Abu Dhabi puts Khalid Al-Qassimi in a WRC Citroen, in a situation similar to that of Khalid when Abu Dhabi sponsored the Ford WRC team back in 2011 and before. The step comes after Red Bull had shifted its WRC promotion using their Media house which is also called Red Bull and is considered as a parallel but independent entity than the energy drink.
Citroen meanwhile has the backing of Qatar which will certainly be gone with the introduction of Abu Dhabi in 2013. The Qatar package included a WRC program for MERC and Dakar Champion Nasser Al Attiyah who enjoyed an impressive run in the championship this year. The Introduction of Abu Dhabi, which signed a deal worth 125 million euros according to the rumors circulating the rally world, will certainly put Nasser away from the DS3 seat.
These changes to the French outfit will rejuvenate the dynamics of the World Championship next year and will leave many questions unanswered?
Who will team up with Hirvonen?
Where would Nasser go?
What will happen to youngster Thierry Neuville?
Will Citroen be able to challenge the charge of VW with what is looking like a very strong lineup?
How much will Sebastian Loeb be missed?