López was destined to be a WTCC star, says former team boss

José María López was destined to win the FIA World Touring Car Championship from the moment he took part in his first WTCC race.

That’s the view of Dominik Greiner, who oversaw López’s winning WTCC debut in Argentina two years ago today (4 August).

Greiner was managing the Wiechers-Sport outfit, which ran the Argentine’s BMW at Termas de Río Hondo in 2013. He was instantly impressed by the ex-Formula One test driver’s approach and ability behind the wheel.

“From knowing his record I was expecting him to be good – but not that good,” said Greiner. “The BMW we were running was not so competitive so we were hoping to do well in the Independents’ Trophy, but nothing more. In FP0 he was around P12 but then every session after that he was in the top five. He drove very well and we were very happy when he won. It was like a dream.”

Greiner, pictured third from left, also remembered that López’s commitment stood out. “He was sending me text messages late at night with feedback about the car and the set-up. He was very hard working, always staying at the track until late. He’s still like that now.”

After finishing fifth in race one, López claimed a hugely popular victory in the second race in what was a one-off appearance in the series in place of regular Wiechers-Sport driver Fredy Barth.

But by the end of the year he’d signed to drive for the factory Citroën team, winning the drivers’ crown in 2014 and helping his employer to the makes’ award in the process.

“It was just a one-off and of course we wanted more but when I got the information he had signed for Citroën I was very happy for him and proud for our team because we had grown a factory driver,” added Greiner.

Prior to next month’s JVC KENWOOD WTCC Race of Japan, López tops the standings by 55 points.