Matton: ’Argentina win confirms DS3 progress’

Citroen Racing boss Yves Matton says recent improvements to the DS3 World Rally Car played a big part in Sebastien Loeb’s victory on Rally Argentina.

Loeb took his eighth Argentina win at the weekend, beating his rival Sebastien Ogier on one of the four World Championship appearances he is expected to make with Citroen this season.

Citroen’s full-time drivers Mikko Hirvonen and Dani Sordo fared less well and finished sixth and ninth.

Hirvonen dropped out of the podium battle when his car’s electrical system suffered water damage, while Sordo rolled his DS3 on the opening day.

After this second win of 2013, following the one Loeb secured at the Rallye Monte-Carlo, Matton reflected on the overall result of his team.

“My overriding sense is that the rally confirmed that the performances of the DS3 WRC have progressed. We have done a lot of work since Rally Mexico and that work has been repaid with the win.” he said.

“Obviously, an essential part of the win is Seb himself, who was back to his brilliant best despite missing the last few rallies. But I’d like to mention our other drivers too: after Dani in Portugal, Mikko showed this weekend that he was in contention to win the rally.

“They both still lack a bit of consistency to turn their good form into results. We’re all going to work towards achieving just that.”

Citroën has won the WRC Manufacturers’ championship for the last five years but now trails newcomers Volkswagen by 14 points. Matton however believes that his team will take the title again this season.

“We are very close and confident that we can come back. This weekend we were really good but I hope we can come more rally after rally,” he said.