WTCC hat-trick bid has begun, says champion López

José María López says his bid to win the FIA World Touring Car Championship for a record-breaking third time in succession has already begun.

Speaking after collecting his WTCC Drivers’ championship trophy at the FIA Prize Giving in Paris on Friday night, López revealed his 2015 title triumph has set the standard he must now try to follow in 2016 when he heads Citroën’s bid for WTCC title glory for a third time in a row.

“When I look back, 2014 was almost impossible to equalise,” said the Argentine ace. “This year I won the same number of races, the same number of pole positions but led more laps with more points against a much stronger competition because it was much stronger from the other teams and my team-mates. We had five Citroëns instead of three so I think [2015] is going to be the year for me I will remember and will try to match every year if I can.

“I know it’s going to be difficult but from today I will try to start to think for next year and what I can do to beat my rivals and defend my championship.”