In Valencia I had the opportunity to talk with Francois Ribeiro, Eurosport Events Motorsport Director, leader of WTCC for nearly half an hour. I have already written about a few of the topics covered on WTCC Blog (2.0 liter turbo category and hybrid cars) but of course much more is unearthed.
For example, the issue of potential new manufacturers. The TC1 rules were brought forward by a year to lure in Citroën, but no additional manufacturer decided to join the French earlier so this year beyond Citroen “only” Honda and Lada will have a factory team.
However, this by no means imply that in longer terms there won’t be more car makers to join WTCC. The French boss of the series insists there is intense interest from other brands.
“Beside the current TC1 manufacturers three-four other brands are examining the new rules and the WTCC seriously. And I want to stress “seriously”. Of course, this does not mean that all 3-4 is going to build a TC1 car” – said Ribeiro to WTCC Blog.
The first man of WTCC confirmed that Renault and Subaru was involved in the working group designing the new rules, but added that a number of other manufacturers were there too. Obviously, the previously mentioned three-four was very likely among them.
“Sometimes it is an extremely complex process for a manufacturer to makes up its mind and starts a program but sometimes things happen in a short period of time. Take for example Citroën. Two years ago, if you had asked them from the chairman to the marketing department everyone would have said they are not interested in WTCC, they are in rally.”
“But then Sebastien Loeb decided he needed a new challenge and Citroën considered the championship and realized that it is not a stupid series. It goes to the most important markets has strong TV coverage etc. Now they’re here.”
“At that time Chevrolet needed only a month to make a decision. It began in 2003 with the problems with Daewoo that affected the company badly. They started rebadging the cars, and Eric Néve suggested that a motorsport program would have been great to support the brand. RML was soon found and a month later they announced the project.”According to Ribeiro it is very beneficial for WTCC that the FIA tried to bring close the technical regulation of the Touring Car World Championship and the World Rally Championship in recent years.
As a WTCC program is roughly four times cheaper than one in WRC some manufacturers might consider starting a project on track.
“Just ask Citroën if they developed a new engine for WTCC. No, they just developed the WRC 1.6 turbo. And I think the suspension also has a few elements taken from the rally car.”
“In WRC currently there is Volkswagen, Hyundai, Ford, and Toyota also seems to plan something. If I say, another brand of the VW Group is considering WTCC this technical closeness is an excellent opportunity for them. But KIA could also take technology from Hyundai and bring a car to WTCC.”

Since the Alfa Romeo 4C became the official WTCC safety car, more and more people believe that the Italians might return to WTCC. Ribeiro did not say anything about concrete manufacturers, but drew our attention to an interesting point.
“At the Geneva Motor Show, I listened to the presentation at the Alfa Romeo stand and a significant part was about the importance of motorsport for Alfa and the traditions of the brand in racing. Alfa has the longest tradition in touring car racing, so it would make sense” – Ribeiro concluded.
As we have previously written, it is easy to imagine that some brands planned to start a program at original introduction of the TC1 rules in 2015, and they did not intended to chance that. Knowing how much time you need to start a new project, I think we will know more before the beginning of summer."
Em Ribeiro: 3-4 brands considering WTCC « WTCC Blog, Michelisz Norbi és a WTCC els