Citroën confirms 2014 WRC drivers

In this file photo, British rally driver Kris Meeke is pictured at Rally Finland in Jyvaskyla.

In this file photo, British rally driver Kris Meeke is pictured at Rally Finland in Jyvaskyla.

Published Dec 10, 2013

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Citroen Racing confirmed on Monday that Britain's Kris Meeke and Norway's Mads Ostberg will drive for the French stable next season.

Eight-times world constructors champions between 2003 and 2012 thanks largely to now retired Sebastien Loeb, Citroën Racing had only three wins in 2013.

Loeb won twice in Monte-Carlo and Argentina and Spaniard Dani Sordo in Germany.

“It's an incredible opportunity,” said 34-year-old Meeke, who has competed in just 10 rounds of the WRC in his career, including two in 2013 with Citroen.

It will be the first full WRC season for a British driver since the late Colin McRae, who was killed in a helicopter crash in 2007, competed in 2003 with Citroen.

“The Citroen DS3 WRC is a terrific car and I'm going to be able to use the team's knowledge to help me improve,” said Meeke.

“I know that I'll have to be patient in the first half of the season and learn all about the rallies.”

Ostberg, 26, is the more experienced having already competed in 65 WRC events since 2006 with seven podium finishes.

He won the Rally of Portugal and finished fourth in the 2012

world championship in a Ford Fiesta for English stable M-Sport.

“We've worked hard to get an official driver's spot. After so many years watching Citroen win, it's a dream come true to be part of this team,” he said.

Abu Dhabi native Khalid Al Qassimi will also compete for Citroen, driving a DS3 WRC in Sweden, Portugal, Italy and Spain as well as returning for a Middle East campaign. -Sapa-AFP

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