In addition to the Citroen Total World Rally Team-entered C4 WRCs of Sebastien Loeb and Dani Sordo, a second team will also now run two C4 WRCs for Kimi Raikkonen and Sebastien Ogier in the colours of Red Bull and Citroen.
The collaboration between Citroen and Red Bull, which dates back to the 2008 Rally Argentina (won by Sebastien Loeb and Daniel Elena) and which has since harvested 15 other wins, is to be reinforced in 2010. As in 2008 and 2009, the two Citroen Total World Rally Team-run C4 WRCs will both sport the livery of the famous energy drink, and the defending World Champions have renewed their faith in Sebastien Loeb/Daniel Elena and Dani Sordo/Marc Marti.
The deal will be extended in 2010 to include the two Citroen Junior Team cars that will compete in Red Bull's colours on 12 of the 2010 FIA World Rally Championship's 13 rounds, the exception being the Rally of New Zealand. These two Citroen C4 WRCs will be campaigned by Kimi Raikkonen/Kaj Lindstrom and Sebastien Ogier/Julien Ingrassia.
Finland's Kimi Raikkonen, 30, who has won 18 Formula 1 Grands Prix, claimed the Formula 1 world crown in 2007, and contested several rallies in 2009 - including his home round of the WRC - said: "I always wanted to compete in rally, especially in the World Rally Championship at some point in my career. Thanks to Red Bull, I have the opportunity to drive the best car of the series with the Citroen C4. This is a new but very exciting challenge. For the moment we have a one-year contract and we will see how it goes for the future. I am really looking forward to testing the car and taking the start of the first rally."
Citroen Racing Director, Olivier Quesnel added: "Red Bull's commitment and energy are a perfect fit for Citroen's ongoing thirst for victory. We will continue to count on Sebastien and Dani to defend our world titles in 2010, and we will also be prolonging our association with Sebastien Ogier who showed outstanding potential this year. Last but not least, it is with immense joy that we welcome Kimi Raikkonen to our ranks. We are very proud that he has chosen Citroen. In addition to the confirmation of these four crews, we will hopefully be able to announce other programmes over the coming weeks."
* Subject to the official publication of the results by the FIA
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