JWRC 2014

[tolis]

So, any news regarding JWRC for next season?
Which rallies will count for it? Will they use Citroen DS3 R3T of Ford Fiesta R2?

[bluuford]

DS3R3T will be for JWRC

[PLuto]

It is confirmed it will be R3 car, so there is actually no other chance than Citroen DS3 R3T.

[Prisoner Monkeys]

I get the feeling that's a political move by Citroen. The "Citroen Top Driver" trophy felt a lot like their answer to the JWRC using Fiestas. I think Citroen know they missed the boat on driver support programmes, and know they mismanaged Ogier and Neuville, and know they need some way of getting hold of new talent, and so lobbied for the JWRC to use the DS3.

[PLuto]

I think Citroen know they missed the boat on driver support programmes.

Citroen is only one, whose driver support programmes is giving WRC drivers...

[adr17]

I think Citroen know they missed the boat on driver support programmes.

Citroen is only one, whose driver support programmes is giving WRC drivers...

really ?? elfyn evans ???

tidemand in fiesta r5 from jwrc prize

[PLuto]

I think Citroen know they missed the boat on driver support programmes.

Citroen is only one, whose driver support programmes is giving WRC drivers...

really ?? elfyn evans ???

tidemand in fiesta r5 from jwrc prize

Evans and Tidemand are not result of driver support programmes, they only won the starts in R5 as prize in some championship.

[Prisoner Monkeys]

I think Citroen know they missed the boat on driver support programmes.

Citroen is only one, whose driver support programmes is giving WRC drivers...

That's as may be, but they have already said they are scaling back their WRC team to focus on the WTCC. At the same time, they are expanding their operations in the JWRC. It might be cheaper to prepare the DS3 R3s, but they would not be doing this if they weren't getting something out of it. Given that their most successful graduate from the programme went on to win a World Championship for another manufacturer (and they lost another to Hyundai), it is understandable that they want to get ahead of the curve and pick up young talent early.

I think Citroen's future in a post-Loeb universe hinges on their finding unpolished drivers that they can smooth out into gems. Loeb's team-mates were either strong mid-pack drivers who could score points for the team, but unable to mount a title challenge of their own; or strong drivers who could potentially take over from Loeb when he retired, but were driven away by mismanagement. So they need to find someone they can mold into a world-class driver and prove that they can win in a WRC without Loeb. Backing the JWRC gives them the means to do that.

[PLuto]

That's as may be, but they have already said they are scaling back their WRC team to focus on the WTCC. At the same time, they are expanding their operations in the JWRC. It might be cheaper to prepare the DS3 R3s, but they would not be doing this if they weren't getting something out of it. Given that their most successful graduate from the programme went on to win a World Championship for another manufacturer (and they lost another to Hyundai), it is understandable that they want to get ahead of the curve and pick up young talent early.

I think Citroen's future in a post-Loeb universe hinges on their finding unpolished drivers that they can smooth out into gems. Loeb's team-mates were either strong mid-pack drivers who could score points for the team, but unable to mount a title challenge of their own; or strong drivers who could potentially take over from Loeb when he retired, but were driven away by mismanagement. So they need to find someone they can mold into a world-class driver and prove that they can win in a WRC without Loeb. Backing the JWRC gives them the means to do that.

Citroën is leaving WRC, they need to develop drivers for longer future...

[Prisoner Monkeys]

Then why suddenly start supporting the JWRC? What can their driver development programme do that others cannot? The would not be spending all of that money building and maintaining DS3 R3s simply for the sake of developing drivers for the sport. M-Sport and Ford could have done that with Fiesta R2s.

I wouldn't be surprised if all the manufacturers withdraw and instead build cars to sell to private teams in the event R5 replaces the WRC class.