Tom Chilton will race a Citroën C-Elysée for Sébastien Loeb Racing in the 2016 World Touring Car Championship (WTCC), hailing the drive as “one of the best seats” in the championship.
For the past two seasons, Chilton has competed at the wheel of a Chevrolet Cruze for ROAL Motorsport, taking one win and three podiums in the process.
With the end of development for the RML-built Chevrolet, Chilton is amongst a number of driver who have been looking elsewhere for his 2016 drive, with the Brit finally securing a seat alongside Mehdi Bennani and Grégoire Démoustier in the former rally champion’s team.
“It’s a very exciting year ahead, I think it will be one of the best race seats to be racing in this year,” said Chilton, who is entering his fifth season in the WTCC. “The team has only been in the championship for a short period but has achieved great results so far and many more to come.
“The Citroen C-Elysée has proved to be a championship-winning car these past two years. With the combination of a professionally run team, it can only be a positive step forward for me.”
Chilton will be aiming to add to the three wins which he has previously scored in the WTCC, as well as eyeing some championship trophies in the forthcoming season.
“To finish in the top three is my aim for the main WTCC, with a goal to also secure the WTCC Trophy and the Teams’ Trophy too. Racing in the BTCC for 10 years followed by four years in the WTCC, I’ve built up a lot of knowledge which can only be a positive thing to add to the team and my team-mates. I have huge respect for Sébastien Loeb and it’s an exciting feeling to be racing in his team.”
Team boss Loeb is looking forward to working with Chilton in the upcoming season, citing the Brits experience from 93 starts and 14 years of racing touring cars in both the WTCC and the British Touring Car Championship.
“Tom has shown how competitive he is,” added Loeb. “I know what I’m talking about as I’ve raced against him before. He’s an ambitious driver, we do appreciate his approach and he will be bringing great experience with him.
“We want him to meet his objectives and I’m convinced we have the potential to clinch good results.”
The news means that there will once again be five C-Elysées racing in the championship, w2ith two being run as works entries by Citroën and three by Loeb’s independent team.