After numerous titles on the World Rally stages over the last decade, Citroen can now call itself world champions on the track as well now after comfortably wrapping up the 2014 WTCC title in Shanghai at its first attempt.
Having made the switch to touring car competition in 2014 with the C-Elysee, Citroen has emerged as the dominant manufacturer having engineered a better grasp of the new TC1 regulations. Indeed, with two rounds of the season remaining, Citroen has won 15 of the 19 races in 2014 with its driving quartet of Jose Maria Lopez, Yvan Muller, Sebastien Loeb and Ma Qing Hua.
Fittingly, Citroen confirmed the manufacturers’ crown in typically dominant style in China, its 1-2-3-4 result in the opening race around the Shanghai International Circuit also appropriately occurring in the firm’s biggest overseas market.
It is a performance that leaves Citroen team principal Yves Matton thrilled with the efforts of all involved in the project.
“The season isn’t quite over yet, but I think we can safely say it has been a great year. A year that began, in fact, eighteen months ago, when we started working on this project. Whether it was in the technical centre in Versailles or on the ground, the entire team spent a lot energy making sure we were ready for the start of the championship.
“With a well-deigned car and a set of fantastic drivers, we have obtained some truly exceptional results. I would especially like to thank Yvan Muller, for his involvement with us. It was very emotional to record a 1-2-3-4 in China, and to see Ma Qing Hua finish on the podium.”
