WRC: Meeke stays with Citroen to 2018

Kris Meeke will lead Citroen's World Rally Championship program for the next three years. The Northern Irishman, who won his first WRC rally in Argentina during the 2015 season, has penned a new deal with the manufacturer.

With Citroen not running a factory WRC team in 2016, Meeke will spend the bulk of the year developing Citroen's car for the new technical regulations being introduced the following year. Meeke, who was being courted by Toyota for its new WRC program, will also contest "several rallies" in a Citroen expected to be privately entered by PH Sport before returning to full-time competition in 2017.

"Various options were available to me to pursue my career, but I chose to stay with Citroen Racing to reap the rewards of the work done over the last two years or more," Meeke said. "It's also a way of thanking the team for the faith they have shown in me. We now know each other very well and this understanding will be essential in developing the new car successfully.

"Obviously, all of this work is geared towards me being able to fight for more wins and for the world title. I am extremely pleased to be part of this new chapter in the history of such a prestigious brand."

Stephane Lefebvre will join Meeke in the 2016 events he contests, with Citroen to finalize that plan a later date.

The closing date for entries for next month's season opener in Monte Carlo was a factor in locking in Meeke's new deal.

"In terms of our new program, above all else we wanted an experienced, top-level driver, with sound technical knowledge," Citroen team boss Yves Matton said. "Kris was undoubtedly the best choice and we are delighted that he has decided to stay with us.

"The most important part of his career is ahead of him, with three seasons to develop and achieve success in the successor to the Xsara, C4 and DS 3 WRC. In 2016, the test program will be the priority for Kris from April, when initial testing of the new car is set to begin. He will nonetheless keep his hand in as regards racing by taking part in several rounds of the world championship. Initial details of this private program will be revealed shortly."

Originally on Autosport.com