Mads Østberg will return to the European Rally Championship in 2024, with the Norwegian set to undertake a full season campaign behind the wheel of a Citroën C3 Rally2.
The one-time World Rally winner, who finished third in last year’s ERC standings, will drive once again for Tagai Racing Technology, with his Michelin-shod C3 also receiving support from Citroën Hungary.
Østberg won the season-ending Rally Hungary last year, and is confident he can continue that winning momentum into 2024.
“Last year there were many ups and downs in our ERC season,” said the 36-year-old, “but what you always remember is the last race, so the victory in the season-ending Rally Hungary was a very good finish of 2023. It’s good to think back on the last year like this and it feels promising to look ahead.
“Our team will stay, we will continue with Tagai Racing Technology and with the Citroën C3 Rally2. And of course Patrik Barth (co-driver) stays by my side.”
This season’s ERC calendar is radically different, with only four of the eight rallies remaining from last year’s schedule. But despite the new challenges, the experienced campaigner has only one goal in mind for 2024: win the ERC title.
Østberg and Barth will campaign a Citroën C3 in the ERC once again
“This is the second year we have started in the ERC, there are always new races,” he said. “But I think we already have experience with a good part of the rallies. The package with which we are applying in 2024 is strong and there is no question: we want to fight for victory. Not just for race wins, but for the championship title. Everything is given for this!”
Didier Clément, head of customer racing at Citroën, is pleased to continue the French brand’s relationship with the two-time European Rally winner, commenting: “This new challenge illustrates the strong and trusting bond we have with Mads, the team and the Citroën importer in Hungary.
“We are proud to be able to count on Mads to take on this challenge, a pillar of our C3 Rally2 family and our pilot for almost a decade.”
Confirmation of Østberg’s campaign comes one day after Hayden Paddon’s announcement that he will attempt to defend his 2023 ERC title this year, meaning that two of last year’s top-three will be back in the series full-time this season.
Further driver announcements for the ERC opener in Hungary (April 12-14), which this year takes place in a new location and on gravel instead of asphalt, are expected imminently, with entries for Rally Hungary having closed on Tuesday.
