Photo: WTCC Media

Citroën choose Mehdi Bennani to join López and Muller in first MAC3

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Sébastien Loeb Racing’s Mehdi Bennani will join Citroën factory drivers José María López and Yvan Muller in the first Manufacturers Against the Clock session on Saturday, in the new cycling-based format which offers an additional ten points in the manufacturers’ championship.

With Honda and Lada running three factory cars, their line-up was never in question. The new initiative, which follows qualifying and sees each manufacturer’s cars take part in a two-lap heat, requires three cars, and Citroën had to nominate one of their privateer cars to join their two factory cars after slimming down from three cars this year.

With Polestar Cyan Racing fielding just two Volvos this season, the Swedish manufacturer are not eligible to take part.

Bennani already has a year’s experience with the C-Elysée WTCC under his belt, after signing for Sébastien Loeb Racing last season, while Tom Chilton and Grégoire Demoustier have just joined the expanded team.

WTCC Race of France MAC3 line-up & running order

Lada
Gabriele Tarquini
Nicky Catsburg
Hugo Valente

Honda
Tiago Monteiro
Rob Huff
Norbert Michelisz

Citroen
José María López
Yvan Muller
Mehdi Bennani