“Pechito Lopez” wins FIA WTCC Argentina
04 Aug 2014

Jose Maria Lopez, Citroen Racing’s Argentinian driver continues on his winning streak at the FIA World Touring Car Championship, in what is arguably one of the best debut seasons of its history. Although with a large fan base on home soil “Pechito Lopez” is now increasingly earning the respect and following globally thanks to his great results so far.

The local matador “Lopez”, achieved pole position ahead of current World Champion, Yvan Muller who was on P2 in the starting grid at the first race of the sweltering heat at Termas de Rio Hondo, Argentina yesterday. A dominant and emotional “Lopez” was close to tears as he thanked his team and army of family, friends and supporters who attended his “show” en masse, at the end of the day’s proceedings.

Race 1 had promised to be close with team mate Muller, who although aware of the difficulty in renewing the FIA Championship this year, unless Lopez has a string of bad luck, continues to show his fighting spirit and Champion qualities and will pounce on the Championship given half a chance. However Muller himself realises the task ahead is more complicated after each race, with no signs of Lopez, diminishing his strong performances. However it was not just Lopez that Muller had to deal with at the weekend.  A superb start from Michelisz meant he overtook Muller and would not leave the second spot for the duration of the race. The French driver had to settle for 3^rd.  

Race 2 had a battling former World Champion Rob Huff on Lada, leading the race till the 9^th lap when Lopez, eventually managed to squeeze past him to achieve his second win of the weekend at home. However the result was great for “Huffy” and indeed Lada, the Russian manufacturer who have been playing catch up all season against Citroen and Honda. Again, Yvan Muller had to settle for third place.

The FIA WTCC will have a long break until October when it travels to China next for the beginning of the Asian tour and the first of four remaining races.  “As Official tyre suppliers to the Championship, we are very excited and look forward to what may happen in Asia. Our YOKOHAMA tyres have performed extremely well, the competitors are putting in splendid performances and we are really looking forward to our own “home” race at Suzuka.  We will then be closer to knowing who the Champion is”, exclaimed David Oliva, responsible for YOKOHAMA Europe communications. 

Jose Maria Lopez, now leads the FIA WTCC Championship by 60 points from Yvan Muller and close to 100 points from third qualified, Sebastien Loeb.

On the YOKOHAMA Trophy, the main contender continues to be German veteran Franz Engstler who tops the table from Di Sabatino with a clear lead of 69 points. 

Current Standing in the Drivers' Championship