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Citroën Sport expands for WRC programme

Citroën Sport has recruited engineers from the former Prost Grand Prix company and plans an expansion at its Satory HQ in France, as it prepares for its first full World Rally Championship programme. Director Guy Fréquelin says he is targeting the Drivers title in 2003, and the Manufacturers championship in 2004. The team will produce a new World Rally Car for the 2005 series

Citroën Sport builds more of its WRC car in-house than any other team. Its existing 10,000sq.m facility near Versailles lies on a 25,000sq.m site and is already bigger than the Peugeot Sport facility in nearby Vélizy, operated by its PSA sister company which has won the 2002 WRC titles. However, a further 15,000sq.m of land has now been purchased on the Satory site to accommodate an extra 5000sq.m of workshop space.

In addition, a number of engineers from Prost Grand Prix, which was also based near Versailles, have been recruited to the Citroën team.

"These engineers and the extra space are required for the third car and the development," Fréquelin explained. He also pointed out his difficulties in recruiting WRC-experienced personnel: "Because only Peugeot is in France, and it's so difficult to take people from outside of France and keep them here to work on the WRC, it's not so easy."

The extra facilities will also house the development of the replacement for the Xsara WRC, which is already under way.

Fréquelin freely admits that 2003 will be a learning year while his team gains experience from a full season in the WRC. He continued: "The target is to try to give Colin [McRae] the best car we can to help him to fight for the Drivers title. As to the Manufacturers title, realistically we need to work towards 2004, because ours is a very young team in the World Championship and we need to get a little more experience. I hope we will be ready in 2004 for the fight for both titles."

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