[WTCC] 2016 WTCC news & rumours

[Metzo]

i like the second version more.

[NaBUru38]

Russia in March would be even more terrible than usual.

[Juntos]

Google translate says Vila Real is struggling to host the WTCC race in June; http://iris.cpidt.pt/publishing20/!s...20055&id=43909

[Rubio]

Is that the real Ribeiro?

http://www.touringcartimes.com/2015/...ogation-cycle/

So, Nika had financial troubles after all. Quite strange for a team supported by Honda Sweden

In general more and more attention for independent teams
http://www.fiawtcc.com/campos-and-ro...ophy-in-qatar/

Well, it general I guess it indicates once again that Citroen is about to quit

[FIRE]

Originally Posted by Rubio

Is that the real Ribeiro?

http://www.touringcartimes.com/2015/...ogation-cycle/

So, Nika had financial troubles after all. Quite strange for a team supported by Honda Sweden

In general more and more attention for independent teams
http://www.fiawtcc.com/campos-and-ro...ophy-in-qatar/

Well, it general I guess it indicates once again that Citroen is about to quit

Even if Citroen stays and the Chevy teams leave WTCC than has a problem.

[PorscheFanNo1]

Originally Posted by Rubio

http://www.touringcartimes.com/2015/...ogation-cycle/

So, Nika had financial troubles after all. Quite strange for a team supported by Honda Sweden

Niklas Karlsson is known to be a little of a gambler when it comes to budget and money. Feels like they couldnt get a proper budget for the whole year, but instead of hiring a paydriver they still they payed Rydell in hopes that he would deliver good results, which in turn would attract more sponsors. With Rydell falling sick in the spring and having to stand out for a couple of races, and not delivering the results they hoped for, I guess they never did get any more sponsors.

Hope they can bounce back next year with slightly bigger budget, where they can actually test the car before the first race, and maybe then Rydell will have a reasonable chance to deliver some results.

[helmat]

Now confirmed, Citroen will leave the WTCC after 2016. Only two works cars with Lopez and Muller for the 2016 season ...
http://www.touringcartimes.com/2015/...e-end-of-2016/

So I guess we can expect Loeb in a SLR car next year and most likely no Ma. And lets see what Bennani will be up to.

[touring fan01]

Loeb is with Peugeot now so won't be driving n WTCC at all

[thlbtcc]

Originally Posted by helmat

Now confirmed, Citroen will leave the WTCC after 2016. Only two works cars with Lopez and Muller for the 2016 season ...
http://www.touringcartimes.com/2015/...e-end-of-2016/

So I guess we can expect Loeb in a SLR car next year and most likely no Ma. And lets see what Bennani will be up to.

Ma was run SLR already so no reason to exclude him at this early stage.

[thlbtcc]

The Citroen news also confirms Muller there next season, so scrap all Volvo rumours.

[iceman-1987]

SHAME CITROEN!!!! before they blackmail the series asking for a change of regulation to enter in wtcc and then after they won just for that they left it after 3 years!!!

they are simply ridiculous and ofc they are just rabbits! when they understood that the competion was getting too hard they immediately run away!

[Bramzel]

Loeb isn't too happy about it either: https://www.facebook.com/SebLoebOffi...11800858839537

He was suprised that he wasn't going to race next year, as he was hoping to go for the championship. They had planned the whole campaign with him going for the title in the 3rd year, and he's dissappointed he won't get that chance.

Ah well, they bought themselves a bunch of nice trophies, time to move on. I won't miss them

[Mies7337]

The WTCC became quite boaring to watch thanks to the new rules, which were introduced too early thanks to Citroen and now they are leaving the series. I really hope that next year the Drivers title and Manufacturers title both go to Honda, Lada or Volvo. The tiny bit of credit they had is now completely gone. Bye bye Citroen, never come back to touring car racing again, please.

[FIRE]

Does this also mean no SLR?

I am surprised they enter only 2 cars, not suprised they return to WRC.

[porsche962fan]

LOL what did you all expect , that's how manufacturers operate, they came in, win everything then leave

[Rubio]

Domination is never good. We had it already with Chevrolet. Almost same situation here.

Originally Posted by Bramzel

Ah well, they bought themselves a bunch of nice trophies, time to move on. I won't miss them

Agree 100%. Actually I'm sad to see them leave because the really did raise the sporting level of the championship. But the way they did it and their attitude to WTCC was absolutely rubbish so I won't miss them as well.

Hopefully this will open the doors for new makes from 2017. And for some really good racing next year. WTCC may become interesting once again

[thlbtcc]

It's just strange that Loeb has been cut for 2016. Brand ambassador, and there's a very real chance he could beat Muller to 2nd this season. That's no mean feat considering it's only his second year in touring cars.

[iceman-1987]

ribeiro if you read this message i think u should start to consider to organize MAC 2 rather than MAC 3 otherwise you risk that will partecipate just LADA.

[iceman-1987]

Coming back serious the positive side of this news is that there could be more show and more competition on next year even if lopez and muller will remain the favourites for the title.

[Rubio]

Originally Posted by iceman-1987

ribeiro if you read this message i think u should start to consider to organize MAC 2 rather than MAC 3 otherwise you risk that will partecipate just LADA.

Independents are allowed to take part in MAC3 if the manufacturer is entered officially. So, SLR cars can take part in MAC3 as well

[Metzo]

so if citroen is down to 2 cars and slr will enter 2 cars as well, what will happen with the remaining car? maybe 3rd car for slr or a new team to join?

[iceman-1987]

i think some indipendent team will ask for the fifth citroen.

i wonder why Loeb doesn't want to continue to use Citroen within his indipendent team unless it was Citroen who forced him to renounce at wtcc if he wanted to continue to belong to Citroen firm

[auroan]

Originally Posted by iceman-1987

i think some indipendent team will ask for the fifth citroen.

i wonder why Loeb doesn't want to continue to use Citroen within his indipendent team unless it was Citroen who forced him to renounce at wtcc if he wanted to continue to belong to Citroen firm

Commercials

Citroen paid him to race the 3rd car. SLR is a commercial entity. Loeb needs paying drivers to pay for the running of his team. If he races in his own car he effectively uses his own cash.

Muller has his own team as well (YMR) who are doing LMP3.

[Bramzel]

Loeb doesn't agree though auroan

“I like my current life. I do not care,” he told La Derniére Heure. “If Citroën leaves the WTCC, nothing would prevent me from continuing with my team as a privateer.”

http://www.touringcartimes.com/2015/...itroens-plans/

I'm pretty sure he'd be able to get some sponsoring set up to fund his own drive.

[iceman-1987]

let's hope Loeb will remain in wtcc. He is not just famous but he is really an excellent driver much more than most of the drivers on the grid!