Former Peugeot World Rally Championship boss Corrado Provera has passed away aged 82.
Initially working with Peugeot in Formula 1 on its engine project with Prost Grand Prix, Provera switched to manage Peugeot’s rally operations when the brand left F1 and convinced it to return to the WRC – a championship it once dominated a decade ago with the Group B 205 T16.
Provera oversaw three consecutive manufacturers’ championships from 2000-02 with the 206 WRC. In that time Peugeot also won the drivers’ title twice with Marcus Grönholm in 2000 and 2002.
Under Provera’s reign, Peugeot won 27 world rallies as well as a combined five championships.
But Citroën beat its PSA stablemate to the crown in 2003 and success was then hard to come by for Peugeot as it switched to the 307 WRC for 2004 and 2005 before ultimately withdrawing from the WRC.
In a statement, Peugeot Sport said: “It is with great regret that we learn of the passing of Corrado Provera. His years at the head of Peugeot Sport were marked by his charisma and energy. We send our sincere condolences to his family and all those who knew him.”
DirtFish would also like to pass on our deepest condolences to Corrado’s family and friends all over the world.
