Photo: WTCC Media

Citroën drivers enjoy strong showing at the Nordschleife test

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Citroën’s drivers finished first, second, third and fifth after a successful test day at the Nürburgring Nordschleife, only split by Gabriele Tarquini’s renegade Honda Civic in fourth, as the French marque prepared for the World Touring Car Championship’s keystone event in two weeks’ time.

2014 champion José María López clocked the best time at the circuit with a time of 8:38.027, 2.5 seconds faster than his Citroën team-mate and closest championship contender Sébastien Loeb, with Ma Qing Hua third and Yvan Muller fifth.

“This was our first outing in the Citroën C-Elysée WTCC on the Nordschleife, and I loved every lap!,” said a jubilant López. “I now understand a little better why everyone talks about it as such a legendary venue. We worked hard to find the right set-up and I can’t wait to come back for the races. I’m really happy to have clocked the time I did. It gives me confidence.”

Nine-time World Rally champion Sébastien Loeb was just outside the 8:40 barrier, with the French driver having only previously experienced the legendary circuit in a road car late last season. Loeb did the most running setting 22 laps around the track, setting a best time of 8:40.517.

“It’s been a positive day,” he said. “We organised our programme to make sure we got as many laps in as we could. On such a unique circuit, where there is absolutely no margin for error, it was important to get as much practice as possible. The track is narrow and the safety barriers are not far away. It feels totally different from any other circuit. I’ve never seen anything so difficult, even at Le Mans.”

Four-time champion Yvan Muller was less happy at the end of the day’s test, with his best time almost six seconds down over the 21km circuit.

“I found the going pretty tough,” said Muller. “I lagged behind my teammates all day. I closed the gap a little bit, but it’s still quite big, to my mind. That said, I didn’t take any big risks. I’m going to work with the engineers to try and do better in two weeks’ time.”

The WTCC gets underway again this weekend, with the third round of the championship taking place at the Hungaroring near Budapest.