Olivier Quesnel now says that Conrad Rautenbach hasn’t signed yet with the Citroen PH Sport M2 team for 2009

Image Seb Loeb Rally Japan: ©willyweyens-rallyworld

Speaking to autosport.com Citroen Sport boss Olivier Quesnel now denies that Conrad Rautenbach has signed to drive for the M2 team.

Quesnel had said to WRR in Japan at the weekend that Rautenbach was the only driver so far confirmed for the M2 squad but now says he hasn't been.

Quesnel commented to autosport.com:

The internet and some websites are like this, some story starts and it goes on and on. It's not true. We said we wanted two cars in the M2 team and we would like Conrad to stay. We have a contract, but it's not signed."

Rautenbach states he would like to confirm what he is driving in 2009 in the near future. He, along with a number of other drivers, is also being linked to the third Subaru seat for next year.

Meanwhile, Olivier Quesnel sought to clarify Sebastien Ogier's position with regards to contesting the first six WRC rounds in 2009. Ogier will not, as first thought, be in a works Red Bull car along with Loeb and Sordo. He will be in a C4 funded by the FFSA and Citroen Sport like he will be on Wales Rally GB. The deal though, has yet to be officially confirmed (for the first six rounds) but it is expected to happen as the funding is in place.

Quesnel commented to autosport.com about Ogier's C4 drive for 2009:

It will be a private car for Sebastien. The M1(team) is finished, it stays the same. At the moment, it's six (rounds) for Seb, but if money comes then anything is possible."

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