Silly Season 2019

[Allez Andruet]

Greensmith just posted this pic on twitter, testing the Fiesta it seems...maybe having some rallies in 2019?

He seems to have notable financial backing and M-Sport surely needs customers. Sounds like a match. And even better that Greensmith can actually drive a little...

[AnttiL]

Well more than Serderidis but not as much as Evans, you know...

[Allez Andruet]

Well more than Serderidis but not as much as Evans, you know...

Oh yes, but I'm afraid the latter is not in the same category with the other two. Unfortunately.

[er88]

Like Ogier before signed.

Msport was one of three options as soon as VW pulled out. Then it more or less became the only genuine option for Ogier other than retirement, after the underwhelming Toyota test and with Citroen showing little interest, and not even allowing him to test.

This situation with Loeb isn't similar. You've had Linda Jackson saying he'll be doing something with PSA next year and Loeb himself was asked if he was to be driving next year in WRC, what team that would be for - and he looked at his Citroen racing overalls and laughed like it was a stupid question.

Either you're living in fantasy land or you've heard something exciting and really surprising that you could maybe share with us .

[Andre Oliveira]

Lets said that where is smoke have fire too

[T16]

Lets said that where is smoke have fire too

All very cryptic! Do you know something?

[tommeke_B]

Since it's called "silly season"... What if Loeb surprises everyone and is going to Hyundai?

[er88]

Citroen has reopened the door to running a third car in the 2019 World Rally Championship, meaning Sebastien Loeb or Craig Breen could remain in its line-up.

When Citroen announced Sebastien*Ogier*and Esapekka Lappi as its WRC line-up, it suggested there would be no third C3.

It went into this season intending to field Kris Meeke full-time, with Breen and Loeb sharing the second car and team backer Khalid Al-Qassimi making occasional appearances in a third entry.

Mads Ostberg then secured a part-time deal with the team too, with his role expanded after Meeke was dismissed.

Citroen CEO Linda Jackson told Autosport a third car for 2019 was now a serious possibility as the team chased its first manufacturers' title since '12.

"We are currently in discussion with our partners about a possible third car," Jackson told Autosport.

"We're looking at it. The car has proved itself and the combination of the car and the new drivers are going to give us success.

"We think we can win the championship. Let's be honest, you wouldn't take one of the best drivers and not want to win."

Loeb had committed his future to the World Rallycross Championship with Citroen's PSA sister brand Peugeot, only for it to pull out of RX earlier this month.

Loeb then won Rally Spain on the last outing of his three-round WRC comeback programme with Citroen, and admitted it made him more interested in continuing into 2019 - though strictly on a part-time basis.

Jackson hinted that the ball was now in Loeb's court.

"Sebastien is part of the PSA family and obviously lots of discussions are being had," said Jackson.

"I can't really comment, that would be unfair to talk about what he does or doesn't want to do.

"He's part of the family and I'm sure there will be something that Sebastien wants to do and that will help us.

"There's lots on the table and we wait for Sebastien to give us his choice."

Breen had seemed unlikely to continue with Citroen once Ogier and Lappi were announced, but may now get a lifeline if the third car goes ahead.

Asked about Breen's chance of a 2019 Citroen seat, Jackson replied: "Craig is looking at his future and I'm sure there will be something coming out for Craig.

"Craig is doing a fantastic job for us right now and if there is a third car, he'll be in the mix for that."

Jackson also confirmed Citroen is committed to the WRC for the next two seasons - the duration of Ogier's contract.

[denkimi]

Since it's called "silly season"... What if Loeb surprises everyone and is going to Hyundai?

If you really want to be silly, perhaps he will drive a season of wrc2 in the VW next to petter solberg.

[gorganl2000]

here's my two cents regarding Loeb's possible future in wrc
he's been a driver and ambassador for Citroen over the years and he's in the PSA family, he's accustomed to the culture and i'm sure has many friends there. They have been through good times (well great times) together and bad times together, they have won together and lost together, they have had differences and overcame those. I'd be very surprised to see Loeb drive in WRC 2019 for anyone but Citroen, not saying its impossible, but very very very very unlikely. On a side note, when we speak of Loeb and a possible 2019 WRC drive, we tend to not mention Elena, but it seems Elena is also at home at Citroen and i'm sure as Loeb's #1 choice of co-driver, that must also come into the equation. It makes little sense to change a formula that is working so well for them from 2002 till now.

Even with Ogier as the #1 drive now at Citroen, it makes no difference to Loeb, who is no longer interested in a full time drive, so no longer a direct competitor and may actually help Ogier and Citroen's chances of getting both titles in 2019 depending on the scenario (i understand there could be a problem if the 3 of them fight for the same victory on specific rallies, but management will need to be clear on the "team directive" in such instances). Furthermore, it appears the past is in the past for them, as they (Loeb & Ogier) seem to get along quite well for a while now---last i saw, Ogier jumped on to the Citroen c3 rooftop to celebrate with Loeb/Elena after Loeb won Catalunya a short while ago. Of recent, it just seems the media is sometimes looking to create a "feud" to make headlines, where there is really none, but then again that what sells and attracts some viewers/supporters

so its really in Loeb's court now what he wants to do