Ogier joins Loeb at Citroen as both sign new deals

World Rally champion Sebastien Loeb,36, has signed a fresh contract with Citroen to drive the new DS3 car next season.

"My contract with Citroen allowed me to stop at the end of the 2010 season," Loeb explained, "but my motivation and my will to win are still as strong as ever.

"The 2011 season will be my 11th under Citroen colours. I don't think the World championship will lack interest as the arrival of a new generation of cars will redistribute the cards between the constructors," he added.

Loeb has been the dominant force in the World Rally championship in recent years and is on course to win his seventh consecutive title; he's 51 points ahead of second-placed Sebastien Ogier.

Ogier has signed a new deal similar to Loeb's and will join Loeb as his official team mate at Citroen for the Finland, Japan and Great Britain legs of the 2010 WRC.

He had his first win from the Rally of Portugal in May, 2010.

His place in the Citroen Junior Team alongside ex-Formula 1 champion Kimi Raikkonen will be taken by Spain's Dani Sordo. - Sapa-AFP