[6] The C3 WRC made its début at the start of the 2017 season, where it was driven by Craig Breen, Stéphane Lefebvre and Kris Meeke,[3][7] with Khalid Al Qassimi entering a fourth car at selected events.

[3] Citroën formally announced its intentions to withdraw from full-time competition at the end of the 2015 season in order to focus on the development of the C3 WRC.

[8] The team contested selected events during the 2016 season, using the DS3 WRC as a testing platform for selected parts.

[6] Further testing and development was carried out using the Citroën C-Elysée WTCC, the car used by Citroën in the World Touring Car Championship.

[6] The C3 WRC's début in 2017 coincided with the widespread revisions to the sport's technical regulations.