citroen xsara

Monte Carlo Rally - Citroen preview WRC news Advertisement Advertisement Can Citroen make it a Monte Carlo hat-trick when what's probably the most famous rally in the world kicks-off this weekend (20-23 January 2005) to open the 2005 World Rally championship? Sebastien Loeb, the newly crowned World Rally Champion, dominated the event in his Citroen Xsara WRC in 2002, lead Citroen to an amazing 1-2-3 win in 2003 and returned in 2004 to win the event again, so there is little doubt that Loeb will start this year's event as the favourite to win yet again.

citroen xsara

"Yes, and the perfect target for all my rivals too!" says the talented French driver. "I have to accept the role of favourite. There's even a nice side to it. I'm getting used to the pressure that goes with it, but I remain in control. All good runs come to an end some time and I tell myself that this one will too. On the other hand, the complexity of the Monte Carlo is such that, more than anywhere else, winning is a team effort. And we have a strong team, made even stronger by its recent record on this event. So although I am totally aware that anything can happen, I feel confident. More confident than last year." Despite its success, everyone at Citroen knows that the Monte is an especially tough rally. For not only does the world-famed classic kick off the new season but it also stands out as one of the year's most unpredictable events. This uncertainty stems not just from the nature of the event but also from the fact that every year the FIA World Rally Championship starts from a clean sheet. The relative strengths of the different teams committed from the previous season rarely carry over to the new season in full, so statements about relative competitiveness can be little more than supposition. Given that so many drivers have changed teams, including Francois Duval replacing Carlos Sainz in the Citroen team and two manufacturers have changed tyre partners, predictions are harder than ever this year.

citroen xsara

Even the basics of this year's event have changed with the 2005 Monte focused much further south than previously in order to remain within striking distance of the event's single service park located on the harbour front in Monaco. And while crews will climb as high as 1,604m when they pass the infamous Col de Turini, the route includes few north-facing slopes on which lingering patches of frost and/or ice are always potential hazards, especially when drivers have chosen dry weather tyres as the most competitive option overall! Despite the fact that there seems to be little chance of encountering abundant snowfall during the rally, Citroën still took time to test on the white stuff prior to the event at the Col du Galibier. The team then switched to the Col de Perty and Roquesteron where they came across conditions much closer to those they are most likely to find on the day. As usual, the programme focused on putting the latest detail changes to the car through their paces, as well as testing and evaluating the known and new tyres developed for the Monte by the team's loyal tyre partner, Michelin.

citroen xsara

"If the weather proves mild, that could make this year's Monte an all-out asphalt affair," says Guy Frequelin, Citroen Sport team Director. "But that could actually help us given the Xsara's potential on this type of surface. However, even this far south, the Monte Carlo will never be free of hazards. If it does turn out to be a principally clear asphalt rally, the fight will be very fierce so the drivers will come across any hazards there are at high speed? on dry weather tyres. The whole face of the rally could change in a fraction of a second. I always tend to be reserved prior to the start of events. In the case of the Monte Carlo, I am ten times more reserved. That said we will, of course, do everything we can to win!" These tests also enabled the team's new recruit Francois Duval to familiarise himself with the Xsara. Indeed, it didn't take the talented young Belgian long to feel at home in his new car and, including testing for the Swedish Rally, he covered close to a thousand kilometres in total. Francois revels in difficult conditions and he therefore has a soft spot for the Monte, as illustrated by his remarkable run in 2004 when he was notably the only driver to match Sebastien's pace in the fog of SS8. So what does Duval think of the Xsara? "I spent two days testing in December near Roquesteron and the Col St. Jean and it didn't take long for me to feel comfortable with the car which is predictable and nicely balanced," says Francois Duval. "It doesn't pose any problems in particular. After testing in Sweden, I spent two more days in the French Alps, again near Roquesteron and at the Col de Perty, and they just confirmed my first impressions. After something like 1,000 km in the car, I can say I feel very much at home in the Xsara. I received a warm welcome from the team whose rigour and professionalism doesn't really surprise me. My co-driver Stephane competed with Citroën in 2000 and he had given me prior warning! Seb tested in Roquesteron during the day between my two days there, so I stayed on to watch and chat with him about set-up. We seem to be on a similar wavelength when it comes to set up."