Tom Chilton ecstatic after clinching independents’ title and third overall

Sébastien Loeb Racing’s Tom Chilton leaves Qatar with the independent drivers’ championship title after a great battle on-track with team-mate and title rival Mehdi Bennani in Race 1, and also secured a surprise third in the overall standings in his sixth season in the championship.

Chilton won the opening race at Losail after a daring pass on team-mate Bennani on lap eight, before finishing fifth in Race 2, with Bennani retiring after contact with the Volvo of Yvan Muller.

The 32-year-old therefore finishes the season third overall, his best result since 2013 when he was fifth overall with RML, and the 2010 BTCC independents’ champion now wins his first independents’ title in the WTCC.

“I came here fifth and I’ve ended up third, it’s just perfect,” said Chilton to TouringCarTimes. “My fight with Mehdi in Race 1 was like the championship-winning fight, as Norbi and Thed have never actually had a fight against other on track, so we were the only ones fighting on track of those going for a title, so it was extra-exciting.

“It was tough though. When (Mehdi) gave me no room on the right, I had in my head Tiago (Monteiro)’s shunt from the year before, but we just held it – I had to do a few switchbacks and we were side-by-side for a couple of corners.

“I’m so excited. Our objective this weekend was to win the independents’ championship, but to finish third which also means I get to go to the FIA Gala is incredible. It’s been incredibly hard work this year, but we’ve had a great last half of the year and a great battle with Mehdi and Rob Huff for the independents’.”