Citroen: "A turbulent climb back to 1st place"

By finishing third in the 75th edition of the ‘Wales Rally GB’, Sébastien Loeb/Daniel Elena claimed their fourth consecutive World Rally Championship “Drivers and Co-drivers” title today in Cardiff. In the second Citroën Total Citroën C4 WRC, Dani Sordo/Marc Martí finished this last event of the 2007 season in fifth place.

« This third place, achieved after a very frustrating rally, allows us to secure our fourth world crown, it’s great! », said Loeb as he came down from the podium.

The challenge to overcome was far from obvious. Started after our off-road incident in Sardinia, our climb back to the first place in the championship was eventful. However, we never doubted. The competitiveness of our Citroën C4 on all surfaces, combined with the effective work of the entire Citroën Sport team, always allowed us to keep our title chances alive. It’s really great to have succeeded!

« Of the four titles, it is certainly the one that was the most contested. Winning it after such an intense battle against Marcus Grönholm on all the world’s stages gives it a particular flavor. I know that for his retirement, he would have liked to win the title… I’m only half sorry that he didn’t succeed! On the other hand, I am very happy to win it for Guy Fréquelin’s final rally as head of Citroën Sport. »

Fifth in this dantesque ‘Wales’, Dani Sordo and Marc Martí were mainly thinking about congratulating their teammates for the title and the team for the work accomplished throughout the year: “I am very happy for Seb and Daniel,” said Dani. “I am happy and proud to have been able to share this season with the new World Champions. As teachers and teammates, it was hard to do better!”

Gilles Michel, Managing Director of Citroën Automobiles was present in Swansea to warmly congratulate the entire team: Through their World Championship title, Sébastien Loeb and Daniel Elena embody what Citroën wishes to project about itself, that is, great competence, strong commitment, and at the same time, great simplicity. The team they form and the way they managed to secure this fourth title honors and elevates the Citroën brand.

According to a statement from Citroen Sport