Photo: WTCC

WTCC boss says José María López raised level of the championship

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FIA World Touring Car Championship boss François Ribeiro says that José María López, who was announced today to leave for Formula E in 2017, has raised the level of the championship.

“It has been an honour to have had a driver of Pechito’s calibre competing in the championship. Since joining the WTCC, he’s raised its level, and forced established stars and teams to significantly raise their game,” said Ribeiro.

López claimed the WTCC title on his first full season in 2014 to become the first non-European FIA world champion since Jacques Villeneuve and will, from 2017, drive for DS Virgin Racing in Formula E.

“We respect his aspirations to achieve success in a variety of motorsport disciplines. It’s always a great story to see a top driver switching categories at his peak. Clashes of international calendars and marketing obligations don’t make it easy nowadays. Pechito’s background is mainly in single-seaters and we have no doubt he will be at the top of Formula E with DS Virgin,” said Ribeiro.

The next WTCC race will see the Citroën driver in front of his home crowd as the championship heads to Argentina and Termas de Rio Hondo on August 7th.

”Thank you Campeone. See you at Termas de Río Hondo for more home emotions, and the first of 10 great WTCC races before your farewell,” said Ribeiro.