Photo: WTCC Media

José María López hoping to ‘score the penalty’ as soon as he can

Citroën’s José María López has the opportunity to claim his first World title in his rookie year in the FIA World Touring Car Championship. The Argentinian feels quite relaxed but is keeping his focus ahead of the challenge he will have to face on Saturday and Sunday.

In an interview with TouringCarTimes, López talked about the pressure he felt especially in the last two meetings in China, when he realized he needed good results to be in the best possible position come Suzuka.

“I have to say that between the races I was a bit more calm, but every time I arrive to the track I feel the same kind of pressure,” conceded the Argentinian. “I felt it a little more in Beijing and Shanghai of course, because I knew it was an important race for me, now I’m relaxed but not too much, I know it [the title] is very close and it would take a catastrophe not to clinch it this weekend. On the other hand, I have some bad experiences in the past of losing championships at the last race, so I want to keep focused and do the best I can to be able to celebrate on Sunday, if possible.”

When asked about the highlight of his 2014 campaign, López was initially elusive:”To be honest the whole championship has been a highlight. Personally, it’s been my best year so far, in terms of consistency, but also in terms of the level I was able to compete at all the time. I made very few mistakes and was quick at every track, I managed to score in every meeting.”

The Citroën driver however couldn’t help mentioning his home race:”If I have to choose a moment then it has to be Argentina, because I scored a perfect weekend in front of my home crowd and hearing the national anthem on the podium was really special. Shanghai was also a very good weekend, but I believe Argentina was the best point.”

“Pechito” says his performances this year have been a surprise even for himself, and he would have not believed it if anybody told him he would have been in this position at this time of year:

“I wouldn’t have believed it last year if anybody told me I would be so close to winning the championship. Sometimes when I say this people do not believe me, but it’s true, I did not expect it. There were so many things to face, first of all as a team, as we were competing in a new championship. As a driver the cars changed so much, so even if we tested a lot we didn’t have a benchmark to compare ourselves to the rest of the field.

“I was the last driver to arrive in the team and I had a lot to learn, including the tracks, so at the beginning it was a bit difficult. Of course I wanted to win races and ultimately the championship, but if I go back to last year it all happened so quickly and I’m amazed. I left Argentina, joined a great team with two fantastic team-mates, won races and the opportunity to win the World Championship decades after Juàn Manuel Fangio, so it’s very special for me.”

López will not change his attitude towards the race, and he wants to secure the championship as soon as he can, without giving fate too much room to change the situation:”I think the strategy in qualifying will have to be the same, I have to go flat out. Depending on the position I have on Sunday I will try to secure the championship as early as I can. If I may use a football simile, I want to score the penalty kick so I can feel safer and hopefully enjoy the rest of the championship. If I have the opportunity I will surely try to do it, but I will also be careful to avoid mistakes and bring the championship home.”

With a 93-points advantage over Citroën team-mate Yvan Muller, López has to score 17 points in order to secure his first World title. Tomorrow, in qualifying, 5 points will be up for grabs for the pole sitter.