Corscian racer John Filippi will race a Citroën C-Elysée WTCC for Sébastien Loeb Racing in the 2017 World Touring Car Championship, after announcing that he is leaving Campos Racing.
The 21-year-old racer has spent the past three seasons with the Spanish Campos Racing outfit, initially at the wheel of a TC2 SEAT León before moving on to a Chevrolet RML Cruze TC1 in 2015 and 2016.
Filippi revealed last weekend that he would continue in the WTCC with backing from car parts firm Oscaro, and he has now revealed that his continuation will come with the race-winning team co-founded by rally legend Loeb and Dominique Heintz.
“I am very happy,” said Filippi. “I will be climbing into a new car that has already proven itself in a great team. When I go out on the circuit for the first tests I will be able to judge where I am in terms of performance and what gap I will have to close to get to the highest level. Only then can I set a goal for the season.
“I can’t wait to start working with my team and my engineer. The winter has been long, I really want to enjoy the paddock atmosphere, my sensations at the wheel of a great car and being in a great team.
“You really need to be respectful when you are at the wheel of a powerful car like this. The biggest challenge will be to exploit it 100 per cent.”
Loeb is pleased to sign Filippi into his team, as the Corsican racer seeks to continue his development. Loeb notes that the Frenchman could have a long career ahead of him.
“I am very happy that we’ve been able to sign this agreement together,” said Loeb. “John is a young driver who is gaining experience. He has cut his teeth in other cars and is coming into our team, which has the means to give him what he needs for him to fully express himself.
“When I started my career, I was already older than he is today: my first rally was at 22 or 23 years old on a regional level. He has time in front of him and potential, it’s the right moment to do great things together.”
Filippi joins race winners Tom Chilton and Mehdi Bennani in the Soultz-sous-forêts-based team, which first joined the WTCC ranks in 2015.