WTCC PREVIEW
WorldMags.net
RUNNERS AND RIDERS
Ahead of this weekend’s season opener, STUART CODLING runs the rule over the 2015 WTCC grid
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CITROEN
CITROEN C-ELYSEE
The C-Elysee may not set hearts aflutter in
road-car form but it has been a devastatingly
effective WTCC weapon, thanks to Citroen bravely
pushing ahead with development early. Rivals
have now had a chance to catch up, and
qualifying in Argentina will reveal by how much.
HONDA
CITROEN TOTAL WTCC
HONDA CIVIC WTCC
Development of the TC1 Civic suffered because
of the short timeframe ahead of the 2014 season,
but both engine and chassis-performance gains
have been found, although the Barcelona test was
inconclusive. Relatively late delivery of privateer
cars may hold back the non-works drivers.
CASTROL HONDA WTCC TEAM
JOSE MARIA LOPEZ
One-time F1 hopeful
Lopez had a stellar first
full year in the WTCC
in 2014, exceeding all
expectations. Ten wins
speak for themselves,
but equally impressive
is his ability to engage
in the physical side of
tin-top combat without
coming off worst.
YVAN MULLER
Muller was not at the top
of his game during 2014,
held back by his inability
to use the simulator.
He appeared at the
Barcelona test looking
leaner than in previous
years, which hints at how
determined he is to regain
his position as the
WTCC’s top dog.
SEBASTIEN LOEB
By his own admission,
Loeb struggled to adapt
to racing on track with
other people around him.
That didn’t stop him
winning twice, though,
and he is likely to win
more in 2015 – provided
he doesn’t distract himself
by trying to scratch his
WRC itch again.
MA QING HUA
A much-deserved
full-time drive is Ma’s
reward for some great
results in his partseason for Citroen
during 2014, including
a reversed-grid win in
Russia. The former
HRT F1 reserve driver
now has the chance to
show his full potential.
SEBASTIEN LOEB RACING
ALL PICS: DPPI
MEHDI BENNANI
Now in a semi-works
Citroen, Bennani will be
looking to build on his
breakthrough victory in
China last year.
80 AUTOSPORT.COM MARCH 5 2015
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TIAGO MONTEIRO
The former Jordan
grand prix driver was
unlucky not to pick up a
win in 2014, losing his
power steering on the
penultimate lap of
Macau while leading.
When the Civic ran
reliably, he usually
extracted the maximum
performance from it.
GABRIELE TARQUINI
Just the one race win last
season, but the 2009
world champion remains a
force to be reckoned with.
Yvan Muller tips him as the
most likely Honda driver
to mix it regularly with
the Citroens, but much
depends on how effective
the Civic’s development
has been.