Citroën Racing Team Principal Yves Matton has hailed the efforts of his World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) team after the marque secured a second successive manufacturer’s title in Shanghai.
Citroën have been the dominant brand once again in the 2015 season, with its C-Elysée cars winning 17 of the 20 races held thus far.
As a result, the French manufacturer was able to wrap up its second title with five races to spare, having secured the honours with a 1-2-3 finish in race one in China.
“First of all, I would like to thank our drivers for the work they have done and for their sense of fair play,” said Matton, praising José María López, Yvan Muller, Sébastien Loeb and Ma Qing Hua. “Even with the best car and the best team, you can’t achieve these kinds of results without exceptional drivers.
“Even if you have the best car in the world and the best team in the world, and I am convinced I have the best team in the world, without the drivers we are nothing and it’s thanks to them we are world champions.
“In particular, I would like to thank Yvan, who was the first to join us and made sure we were ready from the very start of the 2014 season. When we talk about Citroën Racing, that also includes all the staff at our technical centre. You don’t see them on the television, but they are an integral part of this World Championship title.”
Points leader López appears to be heading towards back-to-back titles as well, with the Argentine now 75 points clear of team-mate Muller with just four races left to run over two meetings.
“Congratulations to the whole Citroën Racing team: the people who are here, but also those who stay in Versailles while we are at the circuits,” said López, who could secure a second title next time out in Thailand. “They have done a great job and gave us a fantastic car again this year.
“With a 75-point lead with two meetings to go, I have achieved my goals.”