First picture: 2003 Marlboro Peugeot.

The 2003 WRC campaign will see Peugeot defend its Manufacturers' and Drivers' crowns with the same driver line-up and car that took it to such an exceptional crop of successes in 2002.

The only difference of note will be visible the instant the curtain lifts on the new season, namely the 206 WRC's striking, new red livery based on the colours of the French carmaker's new partner, Marlboro [pictured - click to enlarge].

Instead of being a year of change for Peugeot Sport, the 2003 season, sees the team place the accent very much on stability, with a squad that has claimed three Manufacturers' titles and two Drivers' titles in the space of just three years.

For 2003, Peugeot has decided to build on these results with the same driver line-up that has made such a significant contribution to its recent spell of success: 2001 World Champion Richard Burns, defending champ Marcus Gronholm, undisputed asphalt ace Gilles Panizzi and Harri Rovanpera, winner of the 2001 Swedish Rally.

Stability is a feature of the team's 2003 bid on the technical front too, since the Peugeot 206 WRC will continue to run in 2002 Evolution specification, although the car, which made its debut on last June's Acropolis Rally, will naturally continue to progress over the season.

As in 2001 and 2002, Peugeot's priority objective for 2003 will be to defend its Manufacturers' crown.

At the same time of course, it will also do everything in its power to help one of its drivers win the Drivers' trophy, a prize currently held by Marcus Gronholm.

The battle for the 2003 title promises to be fiercer than ever with the official arrival of Citroen, in the hands of Colin McRae, Sebastien Leob and almost certainly Carlos Sainz, which takes the total number of manufacturers committed to the championship to seven - although Mitsubishi will take a much publicised year out.

For more pictures of the new 2003 Marlboro 206 livery, click on "The Last 50" under Pictures on the left of the page...