Bennani: My WTCC Citroën is sensational

Mehdi Bennani says driving his Citroën C-Elysée WTCC has brought back memories of his single-seater past.

The FIA World Touring Car Championship race winner made it to Formula 3000 before his move to the WTCC following a one-off drive in Marrakech in 2009.

He is driving a Sébastien Loeb Racing Citroën in this year’s all-action WTCC and is a big fan of the French machine.

“My start in motorsport was in single-seater and my focus was Formula One,” the Moroccan explained. “I stop single-seater in Formula 3000 to switch to WTCC race in Marrakech because I was the guest driver. After the end I was not very happy because I was thinking I like more single-seater car. But it was strange with the Citroën because I find this sensation as it’s like you are driving a single-seater car much more than a touring car. That’s why I was smiling when I first raced this car in Argentina. It was not about the result but it was about how I feel as a driver in the car. You feel you are on the limit and the car is very positive and aggressive. I like to find the single-seater sensation now and again.”

Bennani has claimed three wins in the Yokohama Drivers’ Trophy this season and remains in contention for the coveted independents’ award ahead of JVC KENWOOD WTCC Race of Japan next month (11-13 September).