José María López has gone all Arnold Schwarzenegger by admitting he wants to be back in the FIA World Touring Car Championship one day.
The three-time world champion will sign off from his dominant stint as a factory Citroën driver when the 2016 season concludes in Qatar later this month to focus on trying to win the FIA Formula E Championship with DS Virgin Racing, his next motorsport challenge. Schwarzenegger used the iconic “I’ll be back” catchphrase in the hit movie, The Terminator.
And while López wasn’t quite so insistent when quizzed on the subject, he nevertheless harbours ambitions to return to the WTCC in the future.
“It’s not a goodbye but a ‘see you later’,” said the ace Argentine. “I am still young and I can be back if I have still the doorsopen, which I think I will have. I think one day if I have the opportunity I will be back.” López’s final World Touring Car Championship race – for now at least – is WTCC DHL Race of Qatar at the Losail International Circuit from November 24 to 25.
Meanwhile, Nicky Hayden used Qatar’s round of the World Superbike Championship last month to wish Honda’s factory WTCC drivers good luck when they head to the Losail International Circuit for WTCC DHL Race of Qatar.
Hayden, who rides for Honda in WSBK, said: “I just want to wish my Honda team-mates good luck when they come here. I’ll be watching.”
The identity of Polestar Cyan Racing’s number two driver for WTCC DHL Race of Qatar should become known towards the end of next week.
The Swedish make has alternated the driver of its second Volvo S60 Polestar TC1 this season with Robert Dahlgren, Fredrik Ekblom and Néstor Girolami all getting the chance to partner established team leader Thed Björk. Polestar will choose from this trio with an announcement expected soon.
Two wins for Yvan Muller at WTCC DHL Race of Qatar will bring the Frenchman’s total in the FIA World Touring Car Championship to 50 as he prepares to call time on his distinguished WTCCcareer. Muller, who will retire from the WTCC as a four-time champion, is currently on 48 victories and claimed a win at the Losail International Circuit last season.
Meanwhile, Muller’s Citroën team needs just won more win to move onto 50 triumphs. And by lining up on the grid for the Opening Race in Qatar, Muller will make it 250 WTCC starts.
Elsewhere, James Thompson will see out the 2016 FIA World Touring Car Championship season when he contests the WTCC Race of Qatar finale in an ALL-INKL.COM Mu?nnich Motorsport Chevrolet.
