Pierre Budar succeeds Yves Matton, who joins the FIA as FIA Rally Director. Years ago he initiated the Citroen return to the WRC. The brand is trying to return to winning ways as it has 8 WRC titles, 3 WTCC titles and 4 victories at Paris-Dakar Rally.
Pierre Budar is a graduate of the Ecole Centrale de Nantes. He joined Groupe PSA in 1989 as an engineer before. In 1991 he became an official 309 Group N driver for the Peugeot Talbot Sport Team. Later Budar pursued a career in engineering in France and Asia.
In 2010 Budar created the department of sports road versions (DS3 Racing, 208 GTi 30th, 308 GTi, DS3 Performance). After that, he expanded his scope in 2016 to activities related to Customer Competition. With his teams, he notably developed the 308 TCR and the C3R5.
Citroen Racing is preparing to start the 2018 WRC season at the Monte Carlo rally with Kris Meeke/Paul Nagle and Craig Breen/Scott Martin.
On the occasion of his appointment Pierre Budar said:
“Groupe PSA has given me a unique opportunity to reconcile my passion for motorsport with an engineering career. I never imagined one day running one of the most prestigious competition teams in the world.”
“I measure the challenge at the head of an extraordinary team. And I will strive to obtain the best of its talents.”
Jean Marc Finot, Senior Vice President of PSA Motorsport, added:
“I am proud that the FIA nominates Yves Matton to this prestigious position and would like to thank him for his contribution. I am pleased to give Pierre Budar the opportunity to express all his energy and enthusiasm in the service of our passion: motorsport.”
Here is our beast for the new season of @OfficialWRC! pic.twitter.com/eZUK0Lo1ir
— Citroën Racing (@CitroenRacing) January 11, 2018
