Mid-year catch-up with points leader José María López

Current World Touring Car Championship leader José María López has already shown himself to be the rookie of the year, leading the points at the mid-way point of the season. At the next round of the series, he will be the experienced, local driver. He won there on his debut last year with the unfancied BMW. At the launch of the home race in Argentina’s capital Buenos Aires last week, it was a good moment for TouringCarTimes to catch-up with the Championship leader about the year so far.

TcT: In 2014 you returned to international motorsport to do a full WTCC year for the first time. How do you thik it’s going?

It is going great. For me, coming back to Europe meant the chance to join such a professional team like Citroën Racing, which was great news. There are many talented people around me, fantastic mechanics and a team that has dominated the World Rally Championship for so long. That is a good reason for them to be on top of WTCC these days, too. Of course, they are mostly French and I am one of the few exceptions, but I get on very well with my team-mates and everybody else. There have not been special orders and that makes it easier for me to be leading the standings after Spa-Francorchamps. When I went to Marrakech, I felt like heading to the unknown, but I soon adapted to the environment and got to know the technical side of the sport better and better. Back to when I had to return to my country to keep on racing, I participated in three championships at the same time. I was travelling almost every weekend. Now I want to be a WTCC champion, yet I am feeling somehow relaxed compared to those years and also enjoying this moment.

TcT: What can you say about your car after seven race weekends driving it?

It is needless to say that the C-Elysée is very well conceived, in part because Citroën had more time to build a car with new rules (TC1) and test it by the end of last year. It has several strong elements, going from the aerodynamic package to the engine and the suspension. First, I felt it strange that the turbo was working all the time, so the driver has to make the most of it. The Yokohama tyres are soft and quick, but you must know that they will not last much more than a dozen laps in perfect conditions. If you think this was a manufacturer coming from a very different category, then it is sure that Citroën is proving they have the skills to develop a brand new model and make it a winner right from the start.

TcT: How do you like working with the strong team-mates you have in Citroën?

They are all great drivers and team-mates. Yvan Muller is the most experienced in this type of car. His knowledge was crucial when it came to developing the C-Elysée. He is always outstanding: training sessions, qualifying, races. Sébastien Loeb also is in excellent condition. You only have to recall that he won on his first outing. Ma Qing Hua also had a successful debut in Russia by finishing first. Many might agree with me that the team has a remarkable line-up and that all four of us are very equal among each other in lap times and performance. Though any of us want to win every time, we share all the information we get in the many meeting per weekend that we have with the engineers so that everything is under control. If we then fight for a position, whatever that is, we try to do it in a fair way.

TcT: Do you think you can improve your driving level even more?

Perhaps, but more than improving my driving conditions, what I had to focus most some months ago was that I had to adapt to a new scenery again. I worked hard to reach this level and I am pleased with myself because I have not made too many mistakes. My only retirement until now was in Moscow due to gearbox failure. I would like to start better, but I am still happy because I have got positive results. Everything counts as far as learning is concerned, from my long time in Karting – first at home and later in Europe-, then single-seaters and a return to Argentina to compete in tin-top cars. It was in more recent years that I learnt how to deal with door-to-door racing, front-wheel drive and situations of this kind.

TcT: Is there any victory you’ve enjoyed more than the others from the ones you’ve had this year?

Most drivers find it tough to choose one. The opening round in Morocco was great, perhaps because I was not expecting it that early in the season. However, winning at Paul Ricard was even better because it came from the back of the grid, actually last. Pushing hard when starting with a reverse grid is something I also learnt while racing in my country and in France it made me feel special, also because the team was local there.

TcT: Three weeks before the next round at Termas de Río Hondo, what thoughts are on your mind?

I will be on home soil, as everyone is aware. I know the track. It is a place I like, not only because I won there in my WTCC debut back in 2013, but also because it brings back good memories of some national success not long ago. I look forward to that race with enthusiasm. If I close my eyes, I can imagine the stands full of spectators in a glorious weekend in which we can show the whole world the passion Argentines have for motorsport.

TcT: What can happen after the South American event?

The Asian venues should be more difficult for me simply because I never raced in any of those tracks; nor in China, Japan or Macau. Among my rivals and team-mates, there are drivers who have been there maybe six to eight times. It would be good to build a wider gap at Termas if I wanted to be a little more comfortable afterwards. We must not forget that after Argentina, there are four more rounds, which mean eight chances to score points, either for me as for the others. Personally, I prefer fast circuits, but the good thing about Citroën is that our car performs well everywhere, I’d say. Some drivers are better than me in places with more twisty sections like Hungary, Russia or the street layouts, in spite of what I was able to win one of the Moscow races.

TcT: Do you feel a bit under pressure being a title contender?

I guess that weight on my shoulders is starting to feel heavier. I might have to take a few extra risks in coming rounds if I want to stay ahead of the opposition, particularly Yvan. I am happy for my present time, but I admit I must keep my feet on the ground and know that nothing comes so easily in a sport like this.

TcT: Do you see yourself like the forerunner for other Argentine or Latin American drivers wanting to make their way up to the World Touring Car championship in the future?

Racing is the second most popular sport in Argentina, very, very close to Football. It is really strong. When I was younger, I only thought about Formula 1 as my only chance in life. Now, however, not 100% of the guys think the same and I find an increasing number of people who is truly interested in reaching the top in touring cars. Also, the financial situation of each country makes a difference, as well as the little or important support that you get as driver at the beginning. I confess that right now I prefer more what I am doing or could do later that look behind, for example when I lost my chance to do F1 after testing a car or making a deal with a team that was not even born. For example, I would love to be part of the Le Mans 24 Hours some day, although now I am completely focused on WTCC. I just hope more drivers from my region think like this and get the opportunity to compete in a category as attractive and demanding as this.