Citroën Racing has announced it will depart the World Rally Championship with immediate effect.

The French manufacturer cited the departure of Sébastien Ogier is the key reason behind the decision, which left the team without a “first-class driver” for the 2020 season.

Ogier finished third in the drivers' championship while Citroën ended third in the manufacturers’ standings in 2019, behind champions Hyundai and runners-up Toyota.

Ogier and team-mate Esapekka Lappi had a year left to run on their contracts, but the six-time world champion's decision to walk away after a difficult season aboard the C3 WRC left Citroën with no lead driver.

A statement from Citroën Racing said: "Citroen decided to withdraw from its WRC programme in 2020 due to the absence of a first-class driver available for 2020 season."

Ogier will join Toyota alongside Elfyn Evans and Kalle Rovanpera next season.

Citroën CEO Linda Jackson said: "Our decision to withdraw from WRC programme as early as end of 2019 follows on Sébastien Ogier's choice to leave Citroën Racing.

"We obviously have not wished this situation but we could not imagine 2020 season without Sébastien."