Citroen's World Rally Team already focused on 2020

Following a strong start to the opening leg on gravel, Sebastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia saw their chances of victory dealt a fatal blow by a hydraulics issue on the next stage.

The French pair then focused on making it to the end of the rally in the best possible position. Having moved up to eighth overall and confirming the progress of the C3 WRC on tarmac with several strong times, they continued to run in competition tests on Sunday aimed at future outings on this surface. 

Ogier and Ingrassia's efforts were unfortunately not enough to prevent Ott Tanak and Martin Jarveoja from winning the drivers' and co-drivers' world titles.

The Citroen Total World Rally Team will now turn its attention to 2020, determined to enable the French duo to take back their number one spot. It will approach the final round of the season in Australia with the same fighting spirit as usual and the clear intention to finish the 2019 season - in which it has already claimed 11 podiums and three overall wins - in style.

Showing confidence in the C3 WRC, Esapekka Lappi and Janne Ferm also improved their pace on the opening day on gravel, lying just four seconds off the podium at the start of the second loop. Unfortunately, they were hit by an engine failure, leaving them with no choice but to retire altogether from the rally.