Photo: WTCC Media

José María López ends Thursday fastest ahead of the Chevrolets

Citroën driver José María López topped the third test in a row at the Losail circuit in Qatar, lapping the track with a time of 2:01.859, but this time his closest challenge came from the Chevrolet Cruzes of Hugo Valente and Gregoire Demoustier, with both French drivers within half a second.

López set the first benchmark down on his first run with a time of 2:02.128, and improved that just ten minutes later to be the first, and only driver, under the 2:02 barrier with a time of 2:01.859.

Later in the session, the independent Chevrolets began to surge forward, with Campos Racing’s Hugo Valente finishing the session second fastest, just 0.225 behind, with Craft-Bamboo Racing’s Gregoire Demoustier third fastest when the chequered flag was waved.

Sébastien Loeb was fourth overall in his Citroën C-Elysée, with the second fastest of the Campos Chevrolets in fifth, driven by Corsican driver John Filippi.

The first non-Citroën or Chevrolet was in tenth, being the Lada Vesta of Nicky Catsburg, with Norbert Michelisz the fastest of the three Hondas drivers, all the way down in 13th position.

The next session is qualifying, which is scheduled for 15:00 AST on Friday.