Red Bull is expected to announce shortly that Red Bull Media house has become the World Rally Championship's new promoter.

 The energy drinks company's motorsport involvement is amongst the largest for a non-automotive manufacturer, notably owning its multiple title-winning F1 squad, the Red Bull Ring circuit in its native Austria and sponsorship of countless race teams and drivers.

Now it appears to have defeated early favourites Eurosport and an unnamed South Africa bid to succeed North One Sport, whose deal was terminated by the FIA in January. Red Bull currently sponsors Citron, whose team boss Yves Matton said he was positive about the prospect of Red Bull becoming the series new promoter.

"When they do something, they do it properly and they don't just want to make a good name with the promotion," said Matton. "If they choose to invest in the World Rally Championship then it's because they want to make a proper job, otherwise they would not even attempt to do it."2013 could represent a significant sea change campaign for the WRC, with eight-time champion Sebastien Loeb who looks set to claim a ninth crown this year - heavily rumoured to be exiting the sport. The rallying legend's Citroen team could also be set for wholesale change, with the French media suggesting that a deal for the outfit to be bought by Nasser Al-Attiyah is already done.

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