Six-time World Rally Champion Sebastien Loeb and his teammate Dani Sordo will start the season on an equal footing, with both chasing victory in next week's Rally Sweden, according to Citroen team principal Olivier Quesnel.
The French manufacturer did not hide its bias toward Loeb last season, regularly running Sordo ahead of him on the road to help the team leader while also asking members of the Citroen Junior Team to drop back when the champion suffered problems. Sordo has stated his intentions to start the year looking to win rallies.
"I start the season flat-out to try to win the rallies and to try and win the stages," said the Spaniard. "I don't know where I can win, but I start in Sweden flat and try to win. I have confidence that Citroen will not ask me all the time to help Sebastien."
Team principal Olivier Quesnel said the team had no intention of implementing team orders early in the year. "This is the beginning of the season. I can't say at the start of the season, 'Dani, you have to stay back.'" he said. "No, no. He can do his own race. But, both of them need to remember we need the manufacturers' championship.
"If they can remember that, then I have no problem. Honestly, all of the team – even Seb – will be pleased if Dani can win one rally and maybe more."