The International Automobile Federation (FIA) has named Yves Matton as its new rally director.

He will assume his new position in February, replacing Jarmo Mahonen, who retired at the end of 2017.

Matton’s responsibilities will include overseeing the development of all levels of rallying including the top-tier World Rally Championship (WRC).

The 50-year-old is currently the general manager of the Citroën Racing team in the WRC, where he had run the team’s programmes since 2011 after working his way up from his role as logistics manager.

Matton founded his own racing stable MY Racing in 2008, after beginning his career with the Citroën in 2002.

The Belgian is replaced at Citroën by Pierre Budar, who had been in charge of parent company Groupe PSA’s customer motorsport operations.

"Yves has a great deal of experience in various aspects of rallying, and that's important if he is to continue to grow," said Jead Todt, president of the FIA. "He has great passion for the sport and his understanding of competition and management at independent and manufacturer levels will be a great asset to further securing the future development of our sport.”

“I would also pay tribute to Jarmo Mahonen for his significant contribution and the advancements made in rallying under his management. We have solid foundations to further build on and I am confident we will continue to see the sport grow from strength to strength.”

"I feel very honoured to take on this position at the FIA, the governing body of world motor sport," Matton told motorsport news outlet Autosport. "I have worked at various levels of the sport, including for one of the most successful manufacturers in history, but this is for me a real achievement in itself."

The 2018 WRC season begins with the Monte Carlo Rally on 25th January in Monaco