Loeb and Ogier stay with Citroën Racing in 2011

Citroën Racing has confirmed that Sébastien Loeb and Sébastien Ogier will be driving for the French team in next year’s World Rally Championship season. Loeb extended his connection to Citroën for another season while Ogier saw his contract extended for the next three seasons.

The new season will mark the arrival of the new generation 4-wheel-drive 1600 cc turbo-powered cars which should become a turning point in the sport. With five Manufacturers’
World Championship titles won since 2003, Citroën will be betting on Loeb and Ogier to continue this performance.

Citroën Racing Team Principal, Olivier Quesnel says that it’s a satisfaction to continue working with both drivers.

“Not content to have the greatest set of results in the history of rallying, Sébastien Loeb is still as hungry as ever for more victories and titles. His experience, his race intelligence, and his capacity to get 100% out his cars, will be all the more crucial as we’ll have a new car next season,” said Quesnel.

About Sébastien Ogier Citroën Racing Team Principal said: “Citroën Racing has been preparing for the future with Sébastien Ogier for some time now. This is why we wanted to sign a contract with him for the next three seasons. Dani Sordo is still part of our plans for next year, but we have to finalise our budgets before announcing the full programme.”

Commenting on the new contract Loeb expressed is total commitment to the team and motivation to run another year with the new generation of cars coming out.

“My contract with Citroën allowed me to stop at the end of this year. But my motivation and my will to win are still as strong as ever! The 2011 season will be my eleventh in the works Citroën colours. I think that the world championship will be a very interesting one, as the arrival of a new generation of cars will reshuffle the cards among the manufacturers. Of course, it’s no secret that we’re already working flat out on the new Citroën DS3, and I can’t wait to see where it stands in relation to its rivals. In the meantime, winning my seventh consecutive world title is my main objective.”

As for Sébastien Ogier he is thankful for the confidence that the team has in him and is excited for what’s to come.

“I’d like to thank Citroën for renewing its confidence in me, and what’s more, for three seasons! I made my world championship debut with this team, and I’ve always said that my priority was to stay with them. I’m thrilled at the idea of driving the new generation World Rally Cars, and of defending the colours of the make at the topmost level. Like Sébastien, I’m fully concentrated on the end of this season starting with the Finnish Rally, where I’ll be part of the Citroën Total World Rally Team for
the first time!”