Budar predicts success for Lefebvre in WRC2

Citroen team principal Pierre Budar has made clear his intentions for Stephane Lefebvre and the French firm’s all-new C3 R5, saying he wants this year’s WRC2 title from the Frenchman.

The C3 R5, which was homologated from April 1, makes its competitive debut in Corsica this weekend, with Lefebvre driving a PH Sportrun car in a busy entry.

Despite the crowded R5 market, Budar says success is vital for Citroen, especially after the PSA Group’s previous R5 cars – the DS 3 R5 and 208 T16 – have struggled to match the likes of M-sport and Skoda in the WRC.

Budar said: “The target we have set Stephane Lefebvre is to win the championship in order to show the potential of the car, both in terms of performance and reliability on a wide variety of surfaces and in what is a highly competitive series. Stephane will be in the spotlight, showcasing the brand. He has two undeniable assets, starting with the fact that he participated in a large part of the development testing, so he knows the car well and will be sharp coming into the rallies.

“He also has experience of the events since he contested most of them last year in the WRC.”

Lefebvre, whose last WRC outing was in Australia in November last year, said: “After a long winter break I’m really looking forward to getting back on the WRC stages. It’s always exciting to compete for the first time in a new car where you have worked on a large part of the development.

“I feel confident behind the wheel and I can’t wait to get the opportunity to show it.”

Lefebvre will get a pre-event test for the rallies he contests.