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THE WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP - WRC

Total and Citroen the successful partner in motorsports events

Extreme conditions require "customized” lubricants. In the World Rally Championship, if the regulation requires all the teams to use the same fuel, then they have complete freedom in terms of lubricant formulation, whether for the engines or the transmission (gearbox). For rally events, which are usually longer than 1,000 km (including 400km of time trials, also known as specials), the engine temperature and speed varies and can get extremely high. Total provides lubricants specifically developed for Citroën. Total and Citroën teams of engineers have been working closely together for 45 years, with constant concern for the reliability of mechanical components on one hand and for performance enhancement on the other.

In 1968, CITROËN and TOTAL signed an engineering and commercial partnership agreement which immediately overlapped into racing. The destinies of our two brands in motorsports have never parted since.

From improving engine performance by reducing friction with the development of new lubricants to analyzing them after each event and optimizing fuel consumption, CITROËN and TOTAL engineers and scientists have been facing and overcoming challenges together for over 45 years.
This teamwork has resulted in some of motorsports' finest legends. The successes in the WRC World Rally Championship (WRC) recorded since 2001 are a great example. The partnership has faced technical challenges with the Xsara, followed by the C4 in 2004 and then the DS3 in 2010. The human side of the adventure took a turn with the emergence of an extraordinary driver, Sébastien Loeb.
The Alsace-born rally racer now has an unparalleled track record: nine world titles in a row, 78 victories in the WRC (ending with the Rally Argentina 2013), allowing Citroen to win 8 Manufacturer's World Champion titles.

 

What’s going ahead in 2020?

The Citroën Racing team is putting its participation in the WRC on hold in 2016. The team decided to devote 2016 to the development of its new WRC model to face the new regulation that will be put in place in 2017.
Wider, more powerful and more impressive, with imposing aerodynamic features, the 2017 generation World Rally Cars will therefore succeed the cars that first appeared in 2011.
Nevertheless, in 2016, Total remains committed to the WRC with Abu Dhabi. Total World Rally team will enter DS 3 WRCs at a selection of WRC rallies based in Europe. The Abu Dhabi Total World Rally Team provides Kris Meeke, Paul Nagle, Stéphane Lefebvre, Gabin Moreau and Craig Breen and Scott Martin the opportunity to develop their experience in WRC cars.
2016 is a transitional year before Citroën Racing returns a team in 2017. Prepared by the PH Sport team, the DS 3 WRCs are entrusted to various drivers including Kris Meeke, Stéphane Lefebvre, Craig Breen and Khalid Al Qassimi. One or three cars may enter in each of the rounds chosen, depending on the event and the opportunities that arise.
Young French man Quentin Gilbert, crowned Junior World Champion in WRC 3 last year in a DS3 R3 with Total’s support, is racing in WRC 2 this season at the wheel of a DS 3 R5.
Citroen takes the opportunity of the 2016 Paris Motor Show to unveil its new C3 WRC concept which is the first sketch of their 2017 C3 WRC car, which will compete in the whole FIA World Rally Championship. As an historical partner, Total is proud to remain committed to CITROEN for their official comeback in this championship.