Motorsport: Citroen confirms 2007 return with Loeb, Sordo

PARIS - Citroen confirmed their 2007 return to the world rally championship as a manufacturer today with a driver lineup of champion Sebastien Loeb and Spaniard Dani Sordo.

"We will be making our official return to the WRC in just a few months' time now with the Citroen C4," Citroen managing director Claude Satinet said ahead of the Paris Motor Show.

Citroen decided to take a year out in 2006 after winning the drivers' and manufacturers' titles.

Loeb, now close to clinching his third crown in a row after Monday's Japanese Rally handed him a record 27th career win, has been competing this year in a Citroen Xsara run by the Belgium-based Kronos team.

Sordo, the 2005 junior world champion, has also been competing for Kronos. He is third overall in the championship after being disqualified in Japan at the weekend.

"The Xsara years are about to end and I am counting on everyone at Citroen Sport to make the Citroen C4 era just as glorious," said Citroen sport director Guy Frequelin.

- REUTERS