Pedersoli linked to eight-round WRC bid

Luca Pedersoli could embark on his first World Rally Championship event for more than a decade if his plans to contest next January’s Rallye Monte-Carlo reach fruition.

The 40-year-old from Italy is in discussion with Citroen over a programme of between six and eight world championship rallies, starting with the legendary asphalt showpiece. His last appearance in the WRC was on Rallye Sanremo in his homeland in 2000.

Pedersoli, whose WRC career totalled six outings, has been a regular in the Italian Asphalt series in recent seasons where he has enjoyed the backing of Magneti Marelli, which is planning to support Pedersoli’s WRC exploits.

He underlined his world championship ambitions by testing a Citroen DS3 WRC prior to Wales Rally GB earlier this month. He shared the test with Kimi Raikkonen.

Speaking to the Stop&Go website in Italy, Pedersoli said: “Whoever has tried a WRC car doesn’t ever want to go back to a less powerful car.”

Pedersoli will drive a DS3 WRC in competition for the first time when he contests the Memorial Bettega Rallysprint event in Bologna from 10-11 December.