The JML, MQH dilemma

[Biscuits In A Red Bull]

In 2013, after race 2 of the WTCC Race of Argentina, the world remembered who José MarÃ*a López was, and that he was a great racing driver. What he did that day was special, and as a direct result, he got his Citroen WTCC drive. He's now beating teammates Yvan Muller and Sébastien Loeb to lead the 2014 WTCC championship.

This season, after race 2 of the WTCC Race of Moscow, the world remembered who Ma Qing Hua was, and that he was a good racing driver. He won that race in the same car as López, Loeb and Muller.

Whilst both races were the "reversed grid" races, it does make you wonder what would happen if you put a driver like MatÃ*as Rossi, in my opinion the best of the Argentine domestic racers, who beat López, among others, to the 2013 STC2000 crown, in one of these cars. What if Andrew Jordan, touring cars brightest talent, or Colin Turkington got to drive a Citroen for a round? What if young Facundo Ardusso makes a cameo in his home race? Or if Felipe Fraga gets to have a run? I'm sure I'm not the only one thinking this.

Whilst these are really interesting thoughts, they are quite unlikely, but it would be good fun to see how the best of the domestic talents perform on the world stage.

[Bramzel]

From a marketing point of its interesting to have a 'wildcard' car as a manufacturer, which can be used for a popular local driver. In terms of championship aspirations this could backfire though, as Chevrolet found out with Rydell at Anderstorp in '07.

[Metzo]

remember in 2006 at monza when alessandro balzan (a guest starter from the italian championship) almost made it on the podium in race 2? that was awesome

[Biscuits In A Red Bull]

Originally Posted by Metzo

remember in 2006 at monza when alessandro balzan (a guest starter from the italian championship) almost made it on the podium in race 2? that was awesome

That is the point of this thread. Are the WTCC actually that good? Are the top drivers in domestic series' as good, if not better, than the top of the WTCC grid? Those are my points.

[Bramzel]

Originally Posted by Metzo

remember in 2006 at monza when alessandro balzan (a guest starter from the italian championship) almost made it on the podium in race 2? that was awesome

The same Balzan already had done full ETCC seasons in 2003 and 2005, so he's not really a 'local stranger'.

[steve_r]

To be honest the Citroen is so much better than all the other cars out there, any decent driver could drag a good result out of it. I'm not trying to take anything away from the drivers, who are obviously very talented - but stick them in a Lada and noone would notice them at the back.