Citroën takes racing crown in Shanghai

Team members of Citroën celebrate its Manufacturers'World Champion of FIA WTCC win on October 12 at the Shanghai Audi International Circuit. [Photo/Provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Powered by C-Elysée, which made its debut, the French team Citroën won the Manufacturers' World Champion of FIA WTCC on October 12 at the Shanghai Audi International Circuit.

This is the first international championship that Citroën has won on the track, after five Cross Country Rally World Cups and eight WRC titles.

The team recorded a magnificent four of the front five positions in qualifying, as José María López won race one ahead of Ma Qinghua, the Shanghai local racer, Yvan Muller and Sébastien Loeb. This unprecedented clean sweep ensured Citroën became Manufacturers'World Champion.

Race one got underway in front of packed stands, with the fans cheering on local hero Ma Qinghua, who started on the front row.

"Citroën is extremely proud of these victories and this world title. The professionalism, energy and passion of Citroën Racing have enabled us to obtain results that have gone way beyond our wildest dreams. We gave ourselves a year to learn about the category and, in the end, it has taken us a year to win!" said Julien Montarnal, Marketing, Communications and Motorsport Director at Citroën.

"China is our biggest market, as one in every four Citroën cars is sold here. All our guests, dealers and customers alike, have been able to appreciate Citroën's technological expertise," Montarnal added.

Yves Matton, the team's racing principal, said: "It was very emotional to record a 1-2-3-4 in China, and to see Ma Qinghua finish on the podium."

"Finishing second in race one, so close to the winner, was a good result. I think that it's worth even more than my win in Moscow," said Ma Qinghua.

"It wasn't easy to win this seventh race, because Ma Qinghua was always behind me, pushing. That just goes to show that his win in Moscow wasn‘t down to luck!", said José María López.

Ma hit the top at the 16-lap Race two of the FIA World Touring Car Championship early this year in Moscow.

In the Drivers'World Championship, José María López moved another step closer to the title, which he will have the chance of winning at the next round from 24 October to 26 October in Suzuka, Japan.

Number 37, a Citroën's C-Elysée driven by its team member, Argentinean José María López, leads the round one race of the FIA World Touring Car Championship on October 12, 2014 at the Shanghai Audi International Circuit. [Photo/Provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

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