paul
Team Owner
http://www.wrc.com/en_GB/News/NewsDetail/2...rotoPeugeot.htm
Peugeot appears to have beaten off Ford and Citroen in the race to secure the backing of Philip Morris tobacco brand Marlboro in next year's World Rally Championship.
The French manufacturer, which is on course for a third straight makes' title this season, has emerged as favourite for the valued sponsorship according to Autosport magazine's website, autosport.com.
An announcement confirming that the 206 WRCs will run in the famous red-and-white livery is expected on Wednseday.
Mitsubishi Ralliart has been backed by the tobacco brand since 1999, but sources indicate that the team has known for some time that it will not have Marlboro money in 2003, and that the team management has already started to seek alternative funding.
The figure involved is said to be relatively small (around US$2 million per year), although this is likely to increase for the Peugeot deal.
Peugeot sources were remaining tight-lipped on the subject on Tuesday: "No comment," said Peugeot Total Team Director Corrado Provera when asked about the possibility of Marlboro backing.
Peugeot appears to have beaten off Ford and Citroen in the race to secure the backing of Philip Morris tobacco brand Marlboro in next year's World Rally Championship.
The French manufacturer, which is on course for a third straight makes' title this season, has emerged as favourite for the valued sponsorship according to Autosport magazine's website, autosport.com.
An announcement confirming that the 206 WRCs will run in the famous red-and-white livery is expected on Wednseday.
Mitsubishi Ralliart has been backed by the tobacco brand since 1999, but sources indicate that the team has known for some time that it will not have Marlboro money in 2003, and that the team management has already started to seek alternative funding.
The figure involved is said to be relatively small (around US$2 million per year), although this is likely to increase for the Peugeot deal.
Peugeot sources were remaining tight-lipped on the subject on Tuesday: "No comment," said Peugeot Total Team Director Corrado Provera when asked about the possibility of Marlboro backing.