Citroen doesn't want wins questioned due to running order

The current running order system puts the championship leader first on the road, and into a 'road-sweeping' role on gravel events, for the entire event bar the final day.

It's a system that has been criticised in particular by reigning WRC champion Sebastien Ogier, who blamed his Rally Finland error on having to push too hard to make up for his disadvantageous position on the road.

On the other hand, Citroen driver Kris Meeke has been victorious in each of his last two outings, Portugal and Finland, the Ulsterman running in a favourable position in the order in both events.

When asked about the rule, Matton said he doesn't want Citroen's future victories to be seen as if they were gained due to an "accessory".

"First thing, if we change the rule, it should be for a long-term solution because we changed it too many times in the past," the Frenchman told Motorsport.com.

"Personally, I'm in favour of having an evolution on this, but we went a little bit too far with this subject and if we change, it is to avoid speaking about it.

"I want that next year, if Citroen wins a rally, the feeling of everybody is that we win because of our performance, and not for an accessory".

In addition, Matton said a perfect solution for the fierce running order debate will never come up.

"For sure it will never be perfect," he said. "It's impossible in rallying to find a perfect solution. But if we find something better then I'm open to change."

After winning in Monaco and Sweden, Ogier spent the next six gravel rallies sweeping the road and failed to win any of them, enduring his longest winless streak with a World Rally car since 2010.

However, he still comfortably leads the standings, with a gap of 45 points over Volkswagen teammate Andreas Mikkelsen ahead of this month's Rally Germany, the first of three successive tarmac events.

Interview by Federico Faturos