The 2006 Production Car world champion has support from Qatari firm Barwa with a view to joining forces with Citroen. If negotiations progress then it could pave the way for Al-Attiyah to join the factory squad in a third car from 2012 with a programme created alongside to train young drivers from Qatar in a WRC support category.
“Last month I had a really good meeting with the government [of Qatar] and we are looking to do something like Abu Dhabi [has done with Ford],” said Al-Attiyah, who said there is support for a five-year programe. “It’s open but we will talk and we will see. This would be my dream to be the third driver, part of the same [Citroen] team and to find young drivers in Qatar to support. Sport in Qatar is growing very fast and very high. There is no problem for the money but we need to do it in the right way.”
Al-Attiyah, who is currently contesting the Super 2000 World Rally Championship in an Autotek Motorspor Ford Fiesta under the Barwa World Rally Team banner, wouldn’t be able to commit to a full programme of WRC events next season: he is planning to defend his Dakar Rally title in January and is also in line to represent his country in the skeet shooting competition in the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Earlier this season Al-Attiyah had been linked to a seat with the nascent factory Volkswagen Motorsport squad. Although those negotiations broke down following an impasse over Al-Attiyah’s Dakar ambitions, the 40-year-old insists he still has a strong relationship with the German manufacturer.
“It was very important for my sponsor and for me to continue competing in Dakar,” said Al-Attiyah. “But the relationship is very good with VW.”
WRC.com