Peugeot, Citroen announce WRC withdrawal.

Just days after Ford confirmed that it would be committing to the World Rally Championship for a further four years, PSA group marques Citroen and Peugeot have shocked the rally world by announcing that they would remain in the series for just one more season.

In the past five years, Peugeot and Citro?n have combined to win five manufacturers' titles and three drivers' titles, but a statement issued on behalf of both teams blamed the general automobile market for forcing a review of its sporting involvement, and confirmed that the two marques would exit the WRC at the end of 2005.

"Tougher prevailing conditions in the automotive industry have led to a review of PSA Peugeot Citro?n's motorsports activities," an official PSA statement read, "Peugeot and Citroen will remain strongly committed to the world rally championship in 2005, the group has decided that the marques will no longer take part beyond that date.

"This will enable the Group to significantly cut its sports budget and create new opportunities in motorsports. In due course, Citro?n Sport and Peugeot Sport will announce the disciplines in which they plan to participate after 2005."

The double withdrawal comes just days after the WRC received a major boost when Ford announced that it was to continue its participation with the M-Sport team, and will leave the championship with just a handful of factory-supported teams in 2006. Ford should be joined by Subaru, Mitsubishi and Skoda - although the latter trio are not yet confirmed beyond 2005 - but the loss of Peugeot and Citroen will leave at least four top-flight drivers looking for alternative employment, including multiple world champion Marcus Gronholm and new title-holder Sebastien Loeb.

The future of current Ford driver Markko Martin may also be more focused by the announcement, as he had been tipped to leave the Blue Oval for Peugeot at the end of the 2004 season. The thought of a single season in what has proven to be a recalcitrant 307 WRC may now be enough to convince the Estonian to re-sign with Ford and M-Sport.