Dutch driver Peter van Merksteijn Jr will drive a factory-supported Citroen DS3 WRC in the 2011 World Rally Championship.
With Citroen having suggested that it will only run four DS3s next year, and Sebastien Loeb and Sebastien Ogier already committed to the two works cars, the van Merksteijn deal raises doubts about Petter Solberg and Kimi Raikkonen's chances with the French marque.
Van Merksteijn's father, Peter van Merksteijn Sr., will also compete in a DS3 on occasional events alongside his son's 10-round program. The younger Dutchman will join Loeb and Ogier for some tests as well.
"The last few years I was unable to free myself enough from my full business schedule to drive rallies, and when I drive I want to do that the right way or not at all," said 28-year-old van Merksteijn, who has contested partial WRC programs in Fords run by his family team since 2008. For 2011, I will be fully dedicated to the rally sport since I have been given the unique chance to drive a factory car."