Photo: Citroën Racing

Citroën happy with test progress at Vallelunga

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2014-15 champions Citroën Racing were on top on Thursday with last year’s champion José María López setting the pace, but new rivals Polestar Cyan Racing were close behind and the Argentinian admits there isn’t much more pace to find in the all-conquering C-Elysée WTCC.

The factory C-Elysées will be driven by just López and Yvan Muller this season, with Sébastien Loeb departing to join sister marque Peugeot’s Cross Country Rally and World Rallycross programmes in 2016.

“It looks like it will be an interesting season,” said López, “with new cars and quite a few changes among the drivers. The rule changes will also modify the approach to a race weekend. I think that the ‘team spirit’ will be more important than ever before. And for that, Citroën Racing is the best team that I’ve ever been with.

“Yvan and I have worked closely together for two years and we have forged a relationship built on mutual respect and the goal to take Citroën to the top. We looked to make progress this winter, but now it is hard to improve a car as successful as the Citroën C-Elysée WTCC.”

Four-time champion Yvan Muller is looking to add to his title tally after finishing second behind López during the past two years.

“My ambitions are still the same since I have raced in this championship,” said Muller. “I have systematically finished on the season ending podium. It will be the same this year, if possible taking a fifth world championship. To do this, everything will have to fall into place, especially success. That is also part of a driver’s work.”

Muller echoed López’s comments about their being limited potential left in the C-Elysée WTCC, which has dominated the championship since joining in 2014, and will be run for the last time as part of a Citroën factory programme this year.

“Like each year, the WTCC brings its share of innovations,” added Muller. “Obviously, there is the arrival of a new manufacturer, but also a new rules package that will change tactics. Even though the Citroën C-Elysée WTCC begins its third season, we still wanted to evolve the car despite a lower progression of margin.”