Olivier Quesnel says Sebastien Ogier’s victory on Rallye de France Alsace last week - his first on home soil - made him "very proud".
The Citroen team boss has played a pivotal role Ogier’s progression from Junior World Rally Championship winner to WRC title contender in the space of four seasons.
Quesnel said: “We are very proud because when you invest in somebody and then to see a driver going up and going to the top then we are very proud for Citroen. And for a French driver it’s a good thing.”
Asked what impact Ogier’s success in France would have on his driver, Quesnel continued. “He’s already really confident but for me I was not thinking about that in France. I was thinking about the manufacturers’ championship. That is the most important thing for Citroen.”
Despite openly backing Ogier, Quesnel has stated that Ogier’s team-mate Sebastien Loeb will continue to have Citroen’s full support in his bid for an eighth world title.
“He’s the [world championship] leader and that means the focus is Sebastien Loeb,” said Quesnel.
With two events remaining, Loeb and Ford’s Mikko Hirvonen jointly lead the drivers’ standings. Ogier is three points behind following his victory in France.