Mehdi Bennani optimistic after ‘good start’

Sébastien Loeb Racing’s Mehdi Bennani came second in free practice 1, with the Moroccan just three tenths shy of fellow Citroën driver José María López.

“It is surely a good start,” said Bennani to TouringCarTimes. “The car feels good and we seem to have good pace, so hopefully this will be a good weekend.”

Despite the good overall result, the Moroccan says he is focused on the Yokohama Trophy, in which he lies second, 25 points shy of Zengo Motorsport’s Norbert Michelisz: “I have to think about the Independents’ championship first. It will not be easy because Norbert seems to be quick as well. Of course if I have the chance to score a good result outright I will try, but my focus is on the Yokohama Trophy, because if we miss victory here then it will be very tough in Qatar.”

With 46 points left up for grabs, Bennani is on a mission to make up for some of the disadvantage ahead of the season finale.