Citroën drivers expect a weighty challenge in Paul Ricard

The 2016 World Touring Car Championship season kicks off in a week’s time at the Circuit Paul Ricard in the south of France, and despite being the all-conquering Citroën team’s home race, drivers Yvan Muller and José María López expect it could be difficult to stay ahead carrying an unprecedented 80kg of compensation weight.

“We don’t know yet how good our rivals are, but we will definitely suffer during the first two meetings,” said four-time champion Yvan Muller, driving the #68 Citroën C-Elysée WTCC this season. “Any predictions at this stage are based solely on speculation. A win might be hard to achieve, but we need to do the best we can and see how the pecking order stands.”

2014-2015 champion José María López also expects the 80kg handicap will play a significant part at Paul Ricard, but is looking forward to the challenge.

“The 80kg of ballast will certainly be a big handicap, and might cost us over a second a lap on some circuits. It’s going to be tough, but we’re prepared for it,” he said. “I am also really happy to be starting the season in France. It’s like a second home meeting for me. The team has fond memories of Paul Ricard, having won all four races we have competed in here. My win in 2014, when I recovered from last place, remains one of the best of my career!”

With the originally planned start in Sochi last week cancelled, it’s been an exceptionally long off season for the WTCC, but 46-year-old Muller’s ready after the break to take the fight to team-mate López for the title, after finishing second-best to the Argentinian since he joined the championship. The Frenchman has declared that he would not have re-signed with Citroën if he didn’t believe he could still win the championship.

“I wouldn’t be here if I don’t think so,” said Muller. “My age doesn’t go on my side but I will do my best and we will see what happens…but I think the full season will be complicated for us because I am sure the level of the championship will be another step up.”

Although the drivers are cautious, with Citroën having put on a strong showing in the official pre-season test in Vallelunga, team principal Yves Matton is still expecting the team to be on the top step of the podium in Paul Ricard.

“Results in testing aren’t the be-all and end-all, but it is worth noting that we did clock the seven fastest times over eight sessions in Vallelunga,” said Matton. “That was doubtless no accident, but testament to the work the whole team put in over the winter. I hope we leave the Paul Ricard Circuit with a convincing result: in other words, a win.”