Mehdi Bennani: “I made history in Shanghai.”

Mehdi Bennani has lived a dream ever since he crossed the line in Shanghai, Race 2, to take his first win in the World Touring Car Championship. The Moroccan has received a lot of recognition in his home country, but also in the motorsport world. In an interview with TouringCarTimes, the Proteam Racing driver touched several subjects, such as his feelings after the race, his future and his pride in being the first African driver to win a race in the series.

“They all say the first win is the most difficult, now I am looking forward to my future with different eyes,” said the Honda driver.

“The next step now is to be closer to the top drivers in this series and also to explore my opportunities as I am the first Arabic, African and Moroccan driver to win in the WTCC.”

Speaking of the upcoming Race of Japan in Suzuka, Bennani says his approach has not changed. “We’ll try to fight for the top positions all the time but we also are a small team and we fight against the big works teams such as Citroën, Honda and Lada as well. We need to be realistic and realize that we cannot fight consistently for the top.

“On the other hand, we have also shown that we are capable of winning in Shanghai. We hope we will be able to be competitive in Suzuka. I am still feeling very good after my first win, and also Honda’s first win this year, but in Japan I will drive at my 100% as usual. We will see where that leads us, hopefully in a good position to fight. I also trust the team to work at its best and give me the best possible car as usual, so we will see what happens.”

The hot topic is the future of the driver however, as the win seems to have opened some doors for the Moroccan’s career.

“The situation is still a bit confused, I have some proposals and we will have to wait and see. It’s a little too early to say where these proposals come from, but for sure I hope to be in the World Touring Car Championship.”

Bennani says the win has not only changed his career, but his private life as well. “It has changed a lot in my personal life as well. I became a driver thanks to the King of Morocco, who decorated me at the end of last year. I surely made history, and I am sure my grandchildren will be told about how their grandfather was the first Moroccan to win in the World Touring Car Championship.

“Everyone in Morocco was very happy and until I took my flight to come to Japan my schedule was completely full, everybody wanted to celebrate me, and this of course was very nice. I made my country and my family very proud and it makes me feel very happy.

“Having said that, I look at it more from a professional point of view and I realize this is a good opportunity to step up in my career.”

Bennani now lies 10th in the championship, with 85 points to his name after his win in Shanghai.