Citroen boss backs dual progamme

PSA chief executive officer Carlos Tavares has backed Citroen's twin world title bid this season, despite the French car firm's tough financial situation.

Tavares, the most senior official in the Peugeot Citroen group, said he was happy with Citroen's presence in both the World Rally Championship and the World Touring Car Championship, providing the firm remained competitive.

"If we get results then plenty of people say they (both programmes) are sustainable," Tavares told AUTOSPORT.

"And if we don't get results then plenty say they are not. I think [Citroen] has taken a very bold decision in 2014 and we will see by the end of it if it is fruitful.

"If it is not, then we will address this."

Citroen dominated in its first WTCC outing at Marrakech last weekend, taking pole and two commanding victories.

In the WRC, however, it has not been a match for Volkswagen.

Asked what counted for success in WRC Tavares, said: "Being on the podium regularly."

Tavares added that the current global economic position left motorsport fans appreciating a more sustainable financial approach from manufacturers.

"For the fans I think there is some kind of merit to be at a competitive level without always bringing all the huge resources from a car company to win," he said.

"It's somewhere in the mind of the people that if a manufacturer comes with two times the resources on a human and financial level then at one point in time it take out some of the merit of winning."

Originally on Autosport.com