A NEW DOUBLE WORLD TITLE FOR THE CITROËN TOTAL TEAM
Three weeks after winning the manufacturers’ title in Catalonia, the CITROËN TOTAL team scored another double world title* thanks to Sébastien Loeb’s and Daniel Elena’s victory in Rally Great Britain in their C4 WRC.
It was the French driver’s seventh success in 2009, and it gave him his sixth drivers’ world championship title on the trot, a unique performance in rallying and in all other forms of motor sport.
To win his sixth title, Sébastien knew that only a victory would be good enough. He was one point behind Finn Mikko Hirvonen before the last rally of the season, and the CITROËN TOTAL driver knew he had to finish in front of him in the top 8 in Cardiff to keep his crown.
Loeb took the lead in the first stage and he went balls out all the way to keep his rival behind until the finish. “It’s one of my greatest titles, if not the greatest from a sporting point of view,» explained the world no.1. I had to fight right up to the very last moment and I really had to draw on my inner reserves to stay in front of Mikko. I’d like to thank the whole CITROËN TOTAL team. We knew how to find the resources to fight back when our championship hopes looked in jeopardy, and we scored another clean sweep at the post.”
The partnership between Total and Citroën that started prior to the French make’s world programme has now set several records. Since 2003, with the Xsara and the C4, the CITROËN TOTAL TEAM has won five manufacturers’ titles out of seven and six drivers’ titles with the Loeb-Elena pairing.
Philippe Corsaletti (Total Competitions Director): “Once again our partnership with Citroën Racing has been crowned with success. It’s the reward for our common taste for excellence and our approach to racing, as in rallying there’s no room for the slightest approximation. That’s why we develop lubricants for the C4 with such meticulous attention. Bravo to Sébastien Loeb and Daniel Elena and also to Dani Sordo and Marc Marti who’ve been impeccable throughout the season. Rendezvous next February for the Swedish Rally!”
Olivier Quesnel (Citroën Competitions Manager): “Sébastien, Daniel, Dani, Marc and the whole team have once again done everything that was asked of them this season. Three weeks after the manufacturers’ title, Citroën has scored another world championship double. For the Loeb-Elena pairing it was the crowning glory after a fantastically exciting finale against top-quality rivals. This season’s been full of ups-and-downs and has proved once again that you have to approach the World Rally Championship in a very humble frame of mind. The sixth drivers’ title on the trot as well as our five manufacturers’ titles in seven years is also a reward for Total, our valued partner when it comes to synchronizing all the parameters for victory.”