CITROËN SET AN IMPOSSIBLE TASK IN THE 2004 MONTE CARLO RALLY
Citroën start their defence of their World Rally Championship Manufacturers title won in their debut season last year with an impossible task: repeating their 2003 Monte Carlo result of 1-2-3 finish in the 2004 event, which starts in Monte Carlo on 23 January 2004.
Rule changes to the World Rally Championship mean that they are now, like everyone else, a two car team, but the statistics also reveal that those same rule changes that have eliminated some of the sport’s top names. This means that the Citroën team, with Sébastien Loeb and Carlos Sainz, the most successful rally driver of all time, are the only people in the event to have previously won it!
The stats also expose the fact that Carlos Sainz is now the oldest driver in the championship. How the Spaniard feel about being the old man of the sport?
"Fine! To begin with, there's nothing I can do about it and on top of that it doesn't mean a thing!” he says. “The winter break was short but great. I was able to charge up my personal batteries and I'm very much looking forward to the Monte Carlo Rally. I'm the oldest driver, but that's the way it is; I'll just be happy if I get a good result."
If Carlos is the old man of rallying, despite his success, Loeb is still the young gun, albeit, one that counts the Monte Carlo rally as one of his first wins, giving him the pressure of starting the event as favourite.
"Its not as if I have any choice in the matter!” He says. “It's a rather pleasant feeling, even if it does mean extra publicity engagements before the start. As far as the pressure that goes hand in hand with being favourite is concerned, that's something I have already experienced on last year's Monte Carlo and in Germany. On those occasions, I realised that it's a phenomenon that fades away as soon as you put your helmet on. Like everyone, I want to do well. The five asphalt rallies we did in 2003 did not all end well, but I won three of them and momentarily led the other two. That's good for confidence. Globally, I feel stronger… That said, I am very aware that you can be caught out in a fraction of a second on an event like the Monte Carlo.”
For the oldest rally of the World Championship, the first of the sixteen-round 2004 calendar, Citroën-Total has entered two Citroën Xsara WRCs for its nominated crews Sébastien Loeb/Daniel Elena (n°3) and Carlos Sainz/Marc Marti (n°4).
The Monte Carlo Rally is only partially concerned by the changes to the regulations that will come into effect later in the season. Even so, the return to a maximum of two cars that teams can nominate as eligible to score Manufacturers' points is one new rule that will apply from the outset.
The format of the 2004 event is essentially identical to that of last January, with an opening day based near Gap, plus two legs starting and finishing in Monaco itself. The organisers have introduced a number of innovations, however, since only three of the nine different stages – fifteen stages in all – are repeats of last year's tests.
The new stages include the return of "Piégut-Urtis" (run in 2000) and "Laborel-L'Aubergerie" (used in the opposite direction in 1994), plus the rally's first visit to the "Rosans-L'Epine" test since 2000, although this will be the first time it has ever been used in this direction. Also new is the extension of the celebrated "Lantosque-Lucéram" stage all the way to the Col de Braus via the Col de l'Orme and the Col de l'Ablé. "Tourette-St. Antonin" was programmed as recently as 2000, but the running of the celebrated "Col de Bleine" test in the opposite direction is a first.
"Of the nine different stages, I have previous knowledge of three of them,” says Loeb. “Three-and-a-half if you count 'Lantosque-Col de Braus" which is an extended version of 'Lantosque-Lucéram'. I also know 'Tourette' and 'Le Bleine'… but in the opposite direction, so that doesn't help much. 'Piégut', 'Laborel' and 'Rosans' are all new to me. That said, apart from Carlos and those who did the 2000 Monte, I think we are pretty much all in the same boat. One thing is certain: there's going to be some tough tyre calls which could prove decisive.”
Citroën's preparation for the event took place before Christmas in the Col du Galibier and near Gap. Sébastien Loeb, Carlos Sainz and Philippe Bugalski all took turns to fine-tune the Xsara's set-up over the variety of conditions encountered and also tested the full tyre range proposed by Michelin, as well as fine tuning the Australian developed Kinetic hydraulic anti-roll bar system that was the team’s secret weapon in 2003.
“The team, car and driver combination has already proved competitive on this rally, but we have attempted to further to fine-tune the package,” says Team ManagerGuy Fréquelin.“With our rivals, there is effectively a certain amount that is new, but there could be some surprises. The speed of Markko Märtin, Petter Solberg and Marcus Grönholm won't be one however. Meanwhile, the biggest unknown remains the event itself. It's difficult because it's so fickle. I know that only too well and I could never feel totally serene prior to the start! It's a rally on which it is possible to switch from Catalonia to Swedish grip levels in an instant. And the most competitive tyre choice is often also the riskiest!"
“I have said before that more than any other rally,” explains Fréquelin,“success on the Monte Carlo is something you have to merit, something you have to go out and get!”
Michelin, Magneti-Marelli, Kinetic, OZ, AIS and Citroën Financement are Citroën-Total's partners in the World Rally Championship.
Page 1 /Questions to Guy Fréquelin…
Guy, how did the winter break go?
"It flashed past! The 2003 season saw us tackle our first full marathon at a sprint pace. After a very short break, we are back at the same tempo! With sixteen rounds on the calendar, 2004 promises to be very wearing and this is a parameter that we have got to take into account. It will be vital to organise and pace ourselves properly if we want to be competitive throughout the championship. We've got to look at going the distance. The current changes to the regulations demand a certain number of precisions – including flexi-servicing, remote tyre zones – and we hope to have these as soon as possible. In the mean time, we are preparing a number of options, and that represents extra work."
Going into the Monte Carlo Rally, Citroën is a picture of stability compared with last year: same team, same car, same drivers…
"That's true, but despite this stability our planning has been as rigorous as usual. The team, car and driver combination has already proved competitive on this rally, but we have attempted to further to fine-tune the package. With our rivals, there is effectively a certain amount that is new, but there could be some surprises. The speed of Markko Märtin, Petter Solberg and Marcus Grönholm won't be one however… Meanwhile, the biggest unknown remains the event itself. It's difficult because it's so fickle. I know that only too well and I could never feel totally serene prior to the start! It's a rally on which it is possible to switch from Catalonia to Swedish grip levels in an instant… And the most competitive tyre choice is often also the riskiest!"
Citroën's new status doesn't leave you with much choice as far as your objective is concerned…
"I suppose you could say it's the downside of being the defending champions: we want to defend our title and we also want to take the Drivers' crown. Our results in Monaco in 2002 and 2003 are positive pointers that mean we are ambitious, but we don't want to be brash. I am always cagey before an event, and even more so when this event in question is the Monte. We hope we will be in a position to challenge for victory and if we do find ourselves once again involved in the fight up front, then we will give it everything we've got. I have said before that more than any other rally, success on the Monte Carlo is something you have to merit, something you have to go out and get!"
…to Sébastien Loeb…
How did your pre-Monte preparation go?
"We managed to get in some testing between a somewhat hectic end to 2003 – which involved a packed programme of pleasurable but time-consuming engagements –, preparation for Sweden already and, happily, a few days away from it all. As usual, the conditions we found in testing were not always what we were looking for. But if you look at it globally, Carlos and I managed to cover the full spectrum of surfaces, from dry asphalt to pouring rain, snow, slush and ice…. Above all, that allowed us to work through the various tyre options. As for the Xsara, given that preparation for the Monte Carlo is that of an asphalt event, we benefit from good benchmarks on this type of surface and this has enabled us to see that the car is progressing all the time, slowly but surely…"
What do you think of this year's Monte Carlo route?
"Of the nine different stages, I have previous knowledge of three of them. Three-and-a-half if you count 'Lantosque-Col de Braus" which is an extended version of 'Lantosque-Lucéram'. I also know 'Tourette' and 'Le Bleine'… but in the opposite direction, so that doesn't help much. 'Piégut', 'Laborel' and 'Rosans' are all new to me. That said, apart from Carlos and those who did the 2000 Monte, I think we are pretty much all in the same boat. One thing is certain: there's going to be some tough tyre calls which could prove decisive. Over the past two years, Citroën has been perfect in this domain, and I hope it will be the same again this year. After that, it will be up to us to perform…"
You dominated in 2002 and won last year. That must make you favourite this time round?
"I don't think I have any choice in the matter! It's a rather pleasant feeling, even if it does mean extra engagements before the start. As far as the pressure that goes hand in hand with being favourite is concerned, that's something I have already experienced on last year's Monte Carlo and in Germany. On those occasions, I realised that it's a phenomenon that fades away as soon as you put your helmet on. Like everyone, I want to do well. The five asphalt rallies we did in 2003 did not all end well, but I won three of them and momentarily led the other two. That's good for confidence. Globally, I feel stronger… That said, I am very aware that you can be caught out in a fraction of a second on an event like the Monte Carlo… "
…and to Carlos Sainz.
This year, you will be the oldest driver in the championship? How do you feel about that?
"Fine! To begin with, there's nothing I can do about it and on top of that it doesn't mean a thing! The winter break was short but great. I was able to charge up my personal batteries and I'm very much looking forward to the Monte Carlo Rally. I'm the oldest driver, but that's the way it is; I'll just be happy if I get a good result…"
You said once that the Monte Carlo is a rally you either love or you hate. Which of the two is it for you?
"I am one of those who loves the Monte. It's one of my favourite events and one of the events I always dreamt of winning at the beginning of my career. Preparation for the Monte Carlo Rally requires minute planning, and you have to take just as much care with the set-up of car once it has started. The question of tyre choice means there's a strategic side to it too. On top of that, it's a rally that really needs excellent work from everyone in the team: the weather crews, the ice-note crews, everyone. This is my idea of rallying. Of course, for the drivers, it's a difficult, stressful event, especially when the route was longer and you were more prone to problems as the tiredness factor set in. For me, the current format is a Monte Carlo 'light'. But that doesn't mean it will be easy. It's sure to be a big fight…"
Last year, you added an eleventh podium to your personal Monte record. What will be your objective this time round?
"The same as usual. To win!"
Facts and figures:
The 72nd running of the championship's longest-established rally features a total length of 1,413.97 km, of which 389.32 km will be divided into 15 stages (9 different).
Scrutineering will take place on Wednesday January 21st, from 18:00 until midnight (Service du Contrôle Technique Automobile, 23 avenue Prince Héréditaire Albert, Monaco).
Shakedown will be on Thursday January 22nd from 08:00 until midday, near Sospel (Col de Castillon – Col St. Jean, stage finish on the D54).
The traditional photo of the teams entered for the World Championship will be taken at 15:00 in the Jardin des Boulingrins, Monaco. It will be followed by the FIA Pres Conference (Sporting d'Hiver, 15:30).
A start ceremony will be take place in front of the Casino from 18:30, Thursday January 22nd.
Leg 1 begins on Friday January 23rd at 07:00 from the Tallard Airfield service park, near Gap. Total length is 588.11 km, including six stages (144.13 km) split into three groups. An initial loop of two stages run twice: 'Sélonnet-Bréziers' (22.64 km) and 'Piegut-Urtis' (20.18 km), then a group comprising 'Laborel-L'Aubergerie' (26.68 km) and 'Rosans-L'Epine' (31.81 km). After final service, competitors will proceed to Monaco where they are scheduled to arrive from 19:48.
Leg 2, on Saturday January 24th (556.70 km, including 5 stages totalling 140.79 km), runs from 06:40 until 19:23. The service park is located on the harbourside at Monaco. The first loop features a single stage, 'Lantosque-Col de Braus' (34.41 km) followed by a group of two tests – 'Tourette du Château-St. Antonin' (24.80 km) and 'Sigale-Col de Bleine' (28.39 km) – to be covered twice.
Starting at 07:30 on Sunday January 25th and finishing at 14:30, the final leg (269.16 km, including 104.40 km of against-the-clock action) is identical to that of 2003, with two classics run twice each: 'Sospel-La Bollène Vésubie' via the Col du Turini (32.58 km) and "Lantosque-Lucéram" via the Col St Roch (19.52 km).
This will be Sébastien Loeb's fourth Monte Carlostart: 2001 (Saxo Kit Car, 2nd in class A6), 2002 (Xsara WRC, 2nd), 2003 (Xsara WRC, 1st).
His Monaco-born co-driver Daniel Elena has competed on the event on two other occasions, both as driver (1997 and 1998).
Carlos Sainz has taken part on fourteen previous occasions: 1989 (retired), 1990 (2nd), 1991 (1st), 1992 (2nd), 1993 (14th), 1994 (3rd), 1995 (1st), 1997 (2nd), 1998 (1st), 1999 (retired), 2000 (2nd), 2001 (2nd), 2002 (3rd), 2003 (Xsara WRC, 3rd).
Citroën's own Monte Carlo record includes three wins: 1959 (Coltelloni/Alexandre/Desrosiers, ID19), 1966 (Toivonen/Mikkander, DS21) and 2003 (Loeb/Elena, Xsara WRC).
(ends)
For further information:
Citroën Australia Media Web Site:
Miles Williams
/ Tel: (02) 9558 7111General Manager / Fax: (02) 9558 7722
Citroën Australia / Mob: 0419 800 520
E-Mail:
Edward Rowe
/ Tel: (02) 9558 7111Public Relations Manager / Fax: (02) 9558 7722
Citroën Australia / Mob: 0407 913 244
E-Mail:
Web site:
EJR/ejr/007
1/19/2004