Hyundai i20 WRC

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Originally Posted by MikeD

I know from private sources in the WTCC that Citroën is confirmed for 2014 - and there is no way they will continue in both WRC and WTCC at the same same. The PSA Group is in big financial troubles and they cannot justify running in both series, especially while they are figthing with the French government over laying off thousands of people at their factory in France. So you can fully count on no factory WRC team in the WRC in 2014.

So Citroën's strategy will be to persuade the Loeb brand as agreed, so they will do WTCC in 2014. Furthermore it's almost certain that Renault will enter WTCC in 2014, which would be a good fight between the two French companies. Three time WTCC champion Yvan Muller is expected to be announced as Renault's leading driver in the WTCC for 2014.

Regarding Citroën and WRC, then they might continue through PH-Sport, but not as a factory team backed with factory money - only sponsorship-deals. In a way the same deal as Peugeot did with Bozian Racing in 2006 running as an M2/MT team.

Regarding WRC, it's far more interesting to see what PSA will do with the Peogeot brand. It was quite a surprise that they left the new FIA WEC series before it even began .... that could indicate that PSA might only support the Citroën brand in the comming years.

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Is it sure about Reno? Because they already have a one-make Megane circuit cup and several Formula series, all of them with decent Eurosport coverage. And if they enter WTCC with a factory team, Citroen may seriously reconsider doing the same.

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Originally Posted by MJW

Peugoet will be in WRC with an R2 car and and R5, Now IF R5 suddenly became the top class replacing WRC then PSA group would have a suitable car.

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For manufacturer it's easy to convert existing DS3 WRC into 208 bodyshell even without R5.

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Originally Posted by Mirek

For manufacturer it's easy to convert existing DS3 WRC into 208 bodyshell even without R5.

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Yes, very true PSA motorsport operates out one factory with a common Email address for employees regardless of whether they wear Peugeot Navy or Citroen Red clothing. It will, I guess be up to the marketing men, for sure the engineering is there now to run the DS3 in 208 bodywork.

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Originally Posted by SlowSon

Is it sure about Reno? Because they already have a one-make Megane circuit cup and several Formula series, all of them with decent Eurosport coverage. And if they enter WTCC with a factory team, Citroen may seriously reconsider doing the same.

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It's 90% sure regaring Renault in the WTCC in 2014. The original plan was that Renault would take their sister-brand Nissan to the WTCC to fight in one of the three proper FIA world championships. It's not just about the Eurosport coverage - it's about the global branding and winning FIA titles. Renault has been migthy succesful winning titles in F1 as both an engine supplier and as a works team, but the engine doesn't really get the proper coverage in the manufacturers champioship right now, plus Red Bull, Lotus and Williams are paying for the engines, whereas e.g. McLaren get their Mercedes engines for free until the end of 2013.

As it is now, then RML Motorsport (Ray Mallock Motorsport) will run the Renault WTCC team from 2014 with Yvan Muller as their lead driver. RML Motorsport has been running the Chevrolet WTCC team from 2005-2012 as an official works-team, but will in 2013 run as a private team, but will continue with the Chevrolet Cruze 1.6T.

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Originally Posted by ToughMac

Thought the speculation was that PSA would promote the Peugeot brand in the WRC in 2014 much like they have done in the early noughties. Can't see PSA relinquishing that wealth of experience in rallying especially when it took so long to build up and obviously proved to be very very successful.

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The problem for the PSA group is the French left-wing crap government and all the unions, who are fighting the PSA Group at the moment because they are laying of a lot of people. It can cause a lot of problems for PSA if they can find money for motorsport and at the same time say they haven't got money to keep their work-force in France. That's left-wing nonsens for ya' but never the less, the fight that PSA have at the moment and that's why I doubt PSA will run a works Peugeot outfit in the WRC.
It's a bit different with Loeb and his WTCC ambitions, as he is a national hero and the Government don't dare to touch him ... tha's politically dangerous if they do that.

So, if as you are suggesting that 2013 will be Citroen (PSA) last year in WRC where does that leave Thierry Neuville? Maybe he wouldnt be so mad to take the (supposed) M-Sport drive that is on offer to him.

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Originally Posted by Barreis

Maybe only two manufacturers next season. :(

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There will be 3 manufacturers, but only two works-teams, Citroën (Works-Team), VW (Works-Team) and Ford (Private-Team)

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Originally Posted by MJW

So, if as you are suggesting that 2013 will be Citroen (PSA) last year in WRC where does that leave Thierry Neuville?

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Don't know - but honestly I don't think Citroën care too much about him. He's not french and in France they will look at Ogier as their next hero. I think Citroën would let PH-Sport run their cars in 2014 as an M2/Mt team, so if Neuville wants to drive one, he has to come up with the sponsorship money - but it's only a guess.

Ford will not be a official factory-team anymore, but in reality nothing really changes, except for the drivers...

Wasn't Abu Dhabi on a 3 year deal with Citroen? So maybe that includes 2 years in WTCC?