Sebastien Loeb looks set to miss out on any involvement in the 2019 World Rally Championship following news that Citroen has lost the financial backing of sponsor Abu Dhabi.
Such a withdrawal seems to end any possibility on Loeb taking the wheel of a C3 World Rally Car next season despite a recent two-day test with the team.
Citroen team boss Puerre Budar said of the news: "Its representatives decided to take a break to take stock of their commitments."
He had apparently been aware of the possibility for some time and recruited Ogier and Esapekka Lappi with the budget allocated by PSA to its WRC programme, helped by sponsor Red Bull.
The loss of Abu Dhabi money may not hamper ambitions for 2019 but it definitely has an effect on plans for a third C3 to be shared by Khalid al-Qassimi and Loeb. The Frenchman was said to have hoped for a private rallycross programme despite the recent withdrawal of Peugeot, and to perform in a few WRC events next year.
But Budar said: "Except for a new event, we will limit ourselves to two cars in 2019. It's a shame but it's like that, the situation is difficult at the moment."
He added: "We are still looking for a solution to engage 208 RX rallycross under the banner of my team, but it's complicated. If the discussions were not successful, a driver as efficient as Loeb, winner last month of the Catalunya Rally – his 79th WRC victory – should not miss the chance to pursue his career elsewhere than in PSA."
The announcement will also have strong implications for the likes of Craig Breen, Mads Østberg and, of course Loeb. None of them currently has a drive settled for 2019. Now the situation could play into the hands of Ford M-Sport's Malcolm Wilson, currently without any drivers signed for the upcoming season.
Discussion about this post