Auriol after works rally return with Citroen

SJ Spode · 16 May 2002, 12:07 (Ref:287997)

It has been reported that Didier Auriol is seeking a return to works rallying in 2003 and would like to be with the Citroen team.

Much as I admire Didier's past performances & would like to see him back in the WRC, I can't see the Citroen idea becoming reality.

Any thoughts? or how would you advise him

AndyF · 16 May 2002, 12:22 (Ref:288005)

Citroen have got three good drivers at the moment, all of whom are just as good or even better than Auriol. If they wanted a change, they would probably look at current works drivers.

Speeddemon555 · 17 May 2002, 15:09 (Ref:288974)

Loeb and Bulgaski should be safe for the first two works cars, but the third is in the air. I would like to see Auriol back in the Works rally car. If Citroen should give him a test or two to see if still got the knack to do it.

Margam · 5 Jun 2002, 17:38 (Ref:305470)

Hello to all,this is my first time posting here on this forum and it looks great.

Now to Auriol,I think his time has come to an end as a works
driver.When he didn't get a full Championship this year I was very sad as he and Juha have been my favorites for the last 10/12 years.The current drivers that Citroen are very strong.Bulgaski has been with the team from the very start of the Xsara project and is a very good tarmac driver.Loeb is one of the biggest new talents in World Rallying and in my view be a future Champion Citroen will want to keep him
and get the best out of him in years to come.The only new
drivers that could move to the French team next season are
Colin & Carlos. My choice would be Carlos because he
has a better record of improving the car he drives.He also in my view would be a better team-mate for Loeb to learn from.

Marcel ten Caat · 5 Jun 2002, 17:50 (Ref:305490)

Speaking of Auriol, he will participate in the Rally of Portugal next weekend. Driving in a Toyota.

(Procar is supplying 2 Impreza WRC's for Andrea Aghini and Adruzilo Lopès)

yago · 29 Jun 2002, 10:51 (Ref:324167)

Well, Citroen engineers have made it clear:
They don't want Auriol in the team because of the bad reputation he has earned while in Peugeot.

Yago

RallyMan · 10 Jul 2002, 07:59 (Ref:330795)

Latest suggestions are that McRae and Sainz will be at Citroen next year, Sainz almost certainly.

SJ Spode · 10 Jul 2002, 08:58 (Ref:330847)

Quote:

Originally posted by RallyMan
Latest suggestions are that McRae and Sainz will be at Citroen next year, Sainz almost certainly.

Any more info on this???

RallyMan · 10 Jul 2002, 09:57 (Ref:330895)

McRae is apparently in talks with both Subaru and Citroen with Citroen being the most likley destination. Carlos is rumoured to have signed for them some time ago. Colin and Carlos work well so it wouldn't be outlandish for them both to move to the same team. Although Colin is good mates with Tommi and Solberg is there really room for him at Subaru? Duval is apparently about to be offered a full time drive by Ford to replace the outgoing drivers.

SJ Spode · 10 Jul 2002, 10:10 (Ref:330911)

Interesting stuff. Citroen are due to name their 2003 line-up after Germany, so that could well fit in with securing Sainz's services already.

**touringlegend** · 10 Jul 2002, 11:17 (Ref:330963)

Wonder who'll partner Duval at Ford then? Perhaps one of the Citroen refugees?

SJ Spode · 10 Jul 2002, 15:35 (Ref:331160)

If Sainz AND McRae go it'll be Duval and Martin, )plus maybe Alister McRae???)

**touringlegend** · 10 Jul 2002, 16:11 (Ref:331180)

Ah yes forgot about Martin, Alister would be a respectful choice as well.

Aren't Ford considering pulling the plug on their WRC programme anyway?(or am I getting mixed up with all this banning WRC cars in regions nonsense?)

SJ Spode · 11 Jul 2002, 08:16 (Ref:331591)

Quote:

Originally posted by touringlegend
Aren't Ford considering pulling the plug on their WRC programme anyway?(or am I getting mixed up with all this banning WRC cars in regions nonsense?)

It appears so far that Ford & M-Sport have complained that the ban on WRC cars regionally will cost them money through lost sales, and that if these new rules stay Ford would not consider developing a replacement for the current Focus WRC; so ultimately they would quit when the Focus became uncompetitive.

gazzarallie · 17 Jul 2002, 04:50 (Ref:335498)

IN REPLY TO YAGO, WHAT WAS THE BAD REPUTATION THAT DIDIER EARNED WHILE IN PEUGEOT

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