Mehdi Bennani looks to increase good momentum

One month after the Chinese round in Shanghai, the Sébastien Loeb Racing returns to the World Touring Car Championship for the second-to-last meeting of the season in Thailand (October 30th-31st – November 1st). Mehdi Bennani will be ambitious at the Chang International Circuit in Buriram, hosting the WTCC for the first time. And for good reason, following on a double win in the Yokohama Trophy that he clinched at the last round, on board his Citroën C-Elysée, the Moroccan driver has been showing good momentum.

With a Top 5 overall and two successes in the Yokohama Trophy – for independent drivers only – Mehdi Bennani has gained maximum confidence in China. It is therefore with a high dose of motivation, upbeat and hungry for excellent performances that the Moroccan driver approaches the penultimate round of the season. “I’ve been more confident since the WTCC Summer break” he confirms. “Clearly, our goal is to repeat what we achieved in Shanghai. We’re aiming for similar results in the Yokohama Trophy, perhaps with a little more consistency. The level of competitiveness is interesting, we were fighting against the leading cars, and we now want to build on continuity.”

This sense of continuity also goes hand in hand with ambition for the Sébastien Loeb Racing and his driver. Mehdi Bennani currently ranks second in the Yokohama Trophy, 25 points away from the leader. “We think there’s still a chance for us to get the title and we’re going to fight for it!” Mehdi admits. “Our aim is to get as close as possible before the final round in Qatar. We’ve got our chances and it won’t be over until the very last chequered flag. That’s the state of mind shared by the entire team. We’re currently doing well and we need to make the most of it. That doesn’t mean that there will be inappropriate or excessive risks taken, wisdom has paid off the most so far. We need to keep on progressing regularly just like we’ve been doing, going one step at a time."

Buriram will stand as one of the five new tracks to host the 2015 edition of the WTCC. Just like most of his rivals, Mehdi discovered the circuit on a simulator. “It seems interesting, it looks a little bit like Motegi” he confides. “Rigour and concentration will be needed… and it will require to be able to gather all the right ingredients at a key moment. Generally speaking, we’re usually on it and well-focused on this kind of layout. It’ll be our job to prove it again throughout the week-end.”

In addition to the Citroën C-Elysée entrusted to Mehdi Bennani, the Sébastien Loeb Racing will also bring its operational support to the car entered for driver Ma Qing Hua by Citroën Racing which clinched the Manufacturers’ title last round in Shanghai.