What’s new for the 2015 WTCC season?

Argentina is calling! The new World Touring Car Championship season gets under way this coming weekend with the first two races at the Autódromo Termas de Río Hondo. 

Things will be closer than ever this year after a season dominated by Citroën in 2014, as the other works teams have had time to catch up. The duels will be hard-fought as usual and metal-on-metal battles will be just as much a part of the touring car action as door-to-door scraps.

Who are the favourites in 2015?
Of course, reigning world champion Jose Maria Lopez is top favourite to take his second title, but team-mates Yvan Muller and Sebastien Loeb should not be left out of the equation. Gabriele Tarquini could also be in the fight for the championship at the wheel of his powerful Honda. And of course, DHL wishes Tom Coronel all the best for his 2015 season.

What new rules have been introduced?
The TC2 class, in which pre-2014 racing cars competed, has been abolished, so those cars are no longer eligible to participate in WTCC races. The Yokohama Trophy which was previously awarded to drivers in this class now goes instead to the best privateer driver in the TC1 Category.

Also, teams are no longer allowed to change drivers more than twice. Independent racing teams especially would often register a car and then ‘sell on’ the cockpit for different races in the course of the season.

Who are the new drivers?
2015 marks the arrival of only one fresh face in the World Touring Car Championship. Gregoire Demoustier will line up for Bamboo Craft Racing. Up until now, the 24-year-old has been busy contesting various GT series. Two other drivers will also be returning to the WTCC fold - Rickard Rydell and Stefano D’Aste. Rydell last contested a full season in 2009. D’Aste has had just a one-year break.

Who has changed teams?
Mehdi Bennani has left Proteam and now drives for a new outfit, Sebastien Loeb Racing, swapping his Honda Civic for a Citroën C-Elysée. Dusan Borkovic has also switched teams. The Serb drove a Chevrolet Cruze for Campos Racing last season but will take the wheel of the Civic for Proteam Racing this year.

What on earth is this yellow bolt of lightning from the Netherlands?
It may be yellow but it’s far from mellow. In 2015, Tom Coronel’s Chevrolet RML Cruze TC1 will sport a new yellow colour scheme as the veteran driver and Dutch WTCC hero partners with DHL in his bid to further his FIA World Touring Car Championship career beyond 230 races. In the logistics world, yellow is the colour of DHL which represents speed, passion and the dedication to get it right first time „The yellow colour will be very important for me in 2015,“ says Coronel. Coronel, who has 222 starts to his name at WTCC level, has extended his close partnership with the world’s leading logistics company, DHL. Both Tom Coronel and DHL understand that even after many years in the business, it is essential to stay focused and continue to raise the bar over and over again.

What is DHL’s role in the WTCC?
The Official Logistics Partner since 2010, DHL manages the WTCC’s entire logistics. This includes transport to and from the race tracks around the world, paddock handling and customs clearance. With races in 12 countries on four continents, some 30 cars and hundreds of tons of equipment, DHL is proud to bring its 30+ years of motorsports logistics experience to this sport.