Citroen team principal Yves Matton claims the team met its 2017 targets despite finishing fourth and last in this year’s World Rally Championship.

The French manufacturer began the season with title-favourite labels but ended the year with just two rally victories and one other podium.

However, Matton insists the team met its pre-season expectations.

“We were pleased to win two rallies, in Mexico and Spain – that matches the target set by Citroen’s senior management at the start of the season,” Matton said.

“I’m not overlooking the very tough times we experienced in the middle of the season, but the work undertaken in the summer has led to some concrete results since then.

“Preparations (for 2018) began several months ago. In the design office, the workshop and in testing, the C3 WRC is permanently undergoing development.

“Some upgrades have already been introduced, others are undergoing approval, pending homologation.”

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Matton expressed his delight with the new regulations the series adopted at the beginning of 2017.

“In general terms, we have to be pleased with the quality of the competition offered by the WRC (this year),” he added.

“The new generation of cars have more than lived up to expectations and we have seen exciting rallies from start to finish.

“It is a long time since four manufacturers and seven different drivers have won races in a single season. More than ever before, the WRC provides an excellent platform for a manufacturer looking to showcase its products.”