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News rules in 2012 will ease driver rivalry says Citroen team boss Quesnel

Citroen team principal Olivier Quesnel says he doesn't expect the current turbulence in the French team to continue into next season

The team's star drivers Sebastien Loeb and Sebastien Ogier fell out during Rallye Deutschland when the younger of the two Frenchman reacted badly to a team orders request. Ogier went on to win the event after Loeb suffered a puncture, but later indicated his displeasure at the situation.

Quesnel says the expected change of regulation for 2012, which ensures the championship leader will no longer run first on the road on gravel rallies, will minimise the need for tactics and alleviate the tension between Loeb and Ogier.

The questions of tactics was raised on the Acropolis Rally earlier this year, with Loeb angered by Citroen's decision to assist Ogier's tactical approach against him. The seven-time world champion accused the team of favouring his team-mate.

Quesnel said: "It will be easier for me to deal with the drivers next year, of course it will be. At the end of the day, next year will be about the sport, not the tactic.

Honestly, sometimes there can be complications and sometimes the media will say: "Quesnel is stupid," but there's nothing I can do about that."

Quesnel added that the current situation shouldn't detract from Citroen's season.

He added: "Actually we won eight times this year, Ford won once. We even won Finland, I think this is the best season of the team. That's all I can say."

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