Moroccan Mehdi Bennani will continue with Sébastien Loeb Racing for the 2016 World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) season, with the team hinting that it could add a further two cars to its stable.
Loeb’s team, which the former rally driver co-founded with Dominique Heintz, signed Bennani for its first season with a single car entry.
The Moroccan has since enjoyed one of his best seasons since joining the championship full-time in 2010, even if he is yet to score a podium finish and is the only Citroën driver yet to take a victory.
“Knowing that I will continue to drive for Sébastien Loeb Racing just before finishing the season is excellent news,” said Bennani. “This is proof that I have total confidence of the team.
“This is a very professional organisation, guided by the pursuit for performance. Being integrated in this approach, knowing that we run for Sébastien Loeb, who is nine times world champion and who is a role model, is a unique feeling.
“I thank everyone who enabled me reach this level today. Having such support from the people of Morocco and His Majesty King Mohammed VI, it is both a great honour and a great responsibility.
“I was the first Arab driver to race in WTCC. I hope to be the first to win a world title in this discipline. It is with this goal in mind that we are working.”
Heintz is pleased to continue with Bennani, who will enter his seventh season in the WTCC, and has laid out clear objectives for the outfit’s second season in touring cars.
“We are pleased to continue with Mehdi and the Citroën C-Elysée WTCC,” said Heintz. “It is a double satisfaction. On the one hand, the experience in the WTCC is interesting and motivating, with a worldwide program that drives us to move forward and to make things better against tough competition.
“On the other hand, we have created a very good working relationship with Mehdi. We have made steady progress together, achieving a very positive latter part of the season with performances at the top of the table.
“We have laid the foundation to make an even better season in 2016. We will always have a very competitive car with the C-Elysée.”
With regard to expansion for 2016, a statement from the team also read: “One or two other Citroën C-Elysées in the colours of Sébastien Loeb Racing will also be on track”.
Great news!!!