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Citroen names driver line-up for works WRC return

French marque Citroen has named its drivers for its upcoming return to full factory status in the World Rally Championship with the C3 WRC car.

Craig Breen, Scott Martin, Citroën World Rally Team

Craig Breen, Scott Martin, Citroën World Rally Team

Citroën Communication

Kris Meeke, Paul Nagle, Citroën DS3 WRC, Citroën World Rally Team
Craig Breen, Citroën DS3 WRC, Abu Dhabi Total World Rally Team
Stéphane Lefebvre, Gabin Moreau, Citroën DS3 WRC, Citroën World Rally Team
Stéphane Lefebvre, Citroën World Rally Team
Khalid Al-Qassimi, Citroën World Rally Team
Khalid Al-Qassimi, Chris Patterson, Citroën World Rally Team

Citroen, which had chosen a WRC effort as its primary motorsport programme late last year and will, as a result, pull out of the World Touring Car Championship, has previously named Kris Meeke as one of its drivers.

The 37-year-old Northern Irishman, a winner of two WRC evens with a PH-Sport-entered Citroen DS3 WRC this season alongside co-driver Paul Nagle, has a deal running until 2018.

And Citroen has now confirmed he is to be joined for the two years by Irishman Craig Breen, with co-driver Scott Martin, and Frenchman Stephane Lefebvre, alongside Gabin Moreau.

Both SWRC champion Breen and WRC-3 champion Lefebvre ran in select rounds with PH-Sport's DS3 throughout this season, the former claiming a maiden podium in FInland.

Said team boss Yves Matton: "We had several scenarios regarding the choice of our crews for the future. Kris Meeke was confirmed at the end of last year and has become the natural leader of the team. As well as challenging for the lead on each of his appearances in 2016, winning in Portugal and in Finland, he has also done most of the development work for our Citroen C3 WRC.

"In choosing two young crews to complete the line-up, I don’t think we can be accused of having gone for the easy option. But this original solution is very much aligned with Citroen’s mindset.

"And having seen them compete this season for the Abu Dhabi Total WRT, we believe in the potential of Craig Breen and Stephane Lefebvre. They have the natural talent, motivation and work ethic to win rallies."

Citroen confirmed Breen and Lefebvre would be alternating behind the wheel of the C3 WRC during the early stages of the 2017 season, with the marque aiming to switch to a three-car round-by-round line-up "as soon as possible".

A fourth crew of Khalid Al-Qassimi and Chris Patterson will get their own part-time WRC schedule in the C3.

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