Sebastien Ogier joins Toyota, Citroën Racing withdraws from the WRC

The rumours have been confirmed that the sixth-time World Rally Champion  Sebastien Ogier will not drive for Citroën Racing in the 2020 WRC season, moving to Toyota Gazoo Racing.

This transfer is still unofficial because the Japanese manufacturer will officially announce its line-up on Monday. Sebastien Ogier, Elfyn Evans and Kalle Rovanpera have been chosen to represent the brand. It means that Toyota will have all three new drivers compared to 2019 season.

Sebastien Ogier

Another rumour also became true, the one that Citroën Racing will leave the FIA World Rally Championship. But, the way Citroën did that was very strange.

Here’s the official statement from the French team: Following the decision of Sebastien Ogier to leave Citroën Racing after 2019 World Rally Championship season, Citroen decided to withdraw from its WRC programme in 2020 due to the absence of a first-class driver available for 2020 season.

The rally community is shocked by this sentence, which is disrespectful to other WRC drivers. The main comment among rally fans is that there are many good drivers on the market but Citroen has no first-class car.

Photos: Jaanus Ree/Red Bull Content Pool