09 Oct 12

Saluting Seb:
the future in
safe hands

Nine-time title winner Sebastien Loeb might be cutting back on his FIA World Rally Championship appearances next season, conducting only a partial campaign, but that doesn't mean Citroen's chances of success will be diminished.

With Thierry Neuville scoring his best WRC result to date in fourth place on Rallye de France Alsace and Sebastien Chardonnet bagging a world championship point on his first outing in the series in a Citroen DS3 WRC, the firm’s future is seemingly in safe hands.

Neuville finished fourth in France on the back of five stage wins out of a possible six on the final day of the event. And he could have challenged for a podium finish but for a 20-second time penalty for an erroneous late check-in at a time control on the second day.

“I’m pleased with the consistency we managed to achieve throughout the rally,” said Neuville. “We took another big step forward here, although I still feel like I’m learning about the car on Tarmac. Overall, I’m more confident and things are going in the right direction. Our goal now is to finish a rally on the podium before the end of the season.”

Belgian Neuville’s programme for 2013 has yet to be finalised but it’s likely to include a minimum of eight events with Citroen. Frenchman Chardonnet is also working on securing regular work in a DS3 WRC next season.

Following his run to 10th on the Strasbourg-based round, Chardonnet said: “Every mile covered in this car is beneficial to me. We made it to the finish; the point for 10th place is a bonus. I now know which areas I need to make progress, both in terms of driving and race management. It has been a very rewarding experience. My only wish now is to compete in a rally in the Citroen DS3 WRC as soon as possible.”