Citroën won’t back off until the end of the year

Citroën might have moved a step close to a third consecutive FIA World Touring Car Championship Manufacturers’ crown with a win double in Argentina on Sunday, but team head Yves Matton insists the French squad isn’t about to take its collective foot off the gas.

Privateer Tom Chilton and factory driver José María López ensured Citroën remained undefeated at Circuito Termas de Río Hondo with wins in the Opening Race and Main Race respectively to make it six victories from six starts at the Santiago del Estero province venue. It means Citroën’s advantage over Honda in the makes’ standings is 196 points heading to WTCC Race of Japan next month.

“We couldn’t be in a better position in the world championship, but we cannot rest on our laurels,” said Matton. “It’s hugely satisfying to have produced two wins for Citroën Argentina. We witnessed a real team effort this weekend. The mechanics did an excellent job in changing José María López’s engine and he was able to return to winning ways in front of his home crowd. It’s important to highlight Yvan’s contribution to that success. By attacking [Norbert] Michelisz, he knew that he was paving the way for Pechito, and that proved decisive. Unfortunately, he didn’t get the result his performance deserved. Bravo, too, to Tom Chilton, who has won his first race with SLR and the Citroën C-Elysée WTCC.”

To underline Citroën’s dominance in Argentina, José María López qualified on the DHL pole position and set the fastest lap in both races to take the TAG Heuer Best Lap Trophy. However, Honda came out on top in the Manufacturers Against the Clock (WTCC MAC3) team time trial.