WTCR MOROCCO PRE-EVENT PRESS CONFERENCE

Mehdi Bennani, Yann Ehrlahcer, Gabriele Tarquini and Jean-Karl Vernay attended the pre-event press conference for WTCR AFRIQUIA Race of Morocco, the opening rounds of the 2019 WTCR – FIA World Touring Car Cup presented by OSCARO. A transcript follows.

In attendance:

Mehdi Bennani, Sébastien Loeb Racing
Yann Ehrlacher, Cyan Performance Lynk & Co
Gabriele Tarquini, BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse
Jean-Karl Vernay, Leopard Racing Team Audi Sport

Q:You won the inaugural WTCR title by three points. Have you got a second title in you?

GT:Last year I proved I was not old enough because I won the title after a great season, probably one of my best seasons. This year is another fight because it’s another target and the grid is fantastic. I am proud of the job I did last year. I don’t know if something has changed in my mind but I will be very happy to repeat last year’s season, not in terms of result because I think it will be very difficult to repeat that, but I want to be focused like last year and try to do my best to be on the pace, always fighting for the title.

Q:Your 2018 season began in style in Marrakech with two victories. What do you think of the track and the Marrakech Grand Prix weekend?

GT:I feel always very comfortable in Marrakech, especially with the latest layout of the track because it’s much safer than the old one. I like the ambience, I like to start the season in Marrakech, normally it’s very hot. The people love to have motorsport around Marrakech. I feel practically at home and I always have a very good relationship with Mehdi because I see him born in our championship when he was very young and how improved during the last few seasons he is because now he is a top level guy and he can really fight for the victory. Marrakech last year for me was the key of the season because I start very strong, scoring pole positon, scoring two victories with a very good start. For me it was a great, great weekend.

Q:You also won in Marrakech last year on what was your debut at the Circuit Moulay El Hassan. How have your preparations gone for 2019?

JKV:It’s still quite early. We see tomorrow. The real job starts tomorrow. The team arrived today, they have to make sure everything is ready, the stand is ready. Make sure the car will be ready so they have to check the gearbox and everything. We go early at the track to talk to the team to make sure which direction we go. It’s a street circuit so in the first session, while it’s good to have some driving time, it doesn’t make sense because the track evolution will be big. It’s quite interesting at the beginning of the season to see where we are compared to the others, everybody has improved whether we have done enough we will see in the next few days. I’m really excited and looking forward.

Q:The entry list in 2019 is incredible with seven FIA world title winners plus lots of national and international champions, including you. How excited are you to be a part of this?

JKV:The full grid is really competitive and the fact WTCR put me a little bit in front after what I did last year is good and also good for the confidence. It’s good to know the media think I’m part of the top group but every new season you have to show it again. Last year was great but I have to do even better this year.

Q:You are one of the youngest drivers on the #WTCR2019SUPERGRID this season and you will be driving the new Lynk & Co 03 TCR. What is the car like to drive? How competitive will it be?

YE:Actually it’s really difficult to say. We know how the car is but we don’t know where we can put it on the classification. Everybody worked during the winter, we don’t know where the level will be. We know the car will be quick because we have a base from me, from Honda, Yvan and Thed with the Hyundai, but when you do a test in the winter the temperature is always optimal for a four–wheel drive but we were alone with nobody to compare with. Honestly we really don’t know, we have no idea. When you see the level of field and you are four or sixth tenths off you can be completely out of the top 15. Actually we will see after the ‘FPS’ and ‘qualy’ where we will be but I have absolutely no idea.”

Q:As well as Thed Björk and Andy Priaulx, you will join your uncle Yvan Muller at Cyan Racing. He’s the most successful touring car driver in history so what three tips has he given you?

YE:You can’t really say with a sport like this you have to do this, this and this. It’s more like he explained that he has things like this in his career and to be aware this can happen. Then I have to choose myself and take the right decision. Gabriele knows enough but if I give Mehdi and JK all the advice Yvan tells me, they will take an advantage so I will not tell them!

Q:Can you beat your team-mates this year?

YE:Even if sometimes you don’t know where your car will be compared to the others, at least I will try to be the best diver in this car. But to be the best driver in this car means you have to beat three world champions! I am really lucky to be part of this line-up with them. They have a lot of experience and they know how to deal with difficult situations. They had it already a few times before, but for me it’s nice to take an advantage with all their experience and I will try to add mine as soon as I have enough.

Q:You’ve won and been on the podium in WTCR / OSCARO but how confident are you of winning the title this year?

MB:When something is in your mind, even when it is not possible, you tell your mind to imagine things can be possible even when it’s 99 per cent impossible. In Morocco our culture is to open all the doors for things to be possible. I never close the door that I will not be the winner. I try to do my best because, in our life, if we don’t imagine some things, then it’s over

Q:This will be your fifth season with Sebastien Loeb Racing. As well as Rob Huff you’ll be working with two-year team-mates, Johan Kristoffersson and Benjamin Leuchter. What do they bring to the team?

MB:Johan Kristoffersson is the world champion in rallycross but he is also two times Scandinavian Touring Car Champion, so maybe he knows the car better than me! Then you have Benjamin Leuchter, who developed the Golf and won a lot of championships with the car. This is good because although there is competition and fighting to make life harder, the result is bigger when it happens.

Q:Finally, Mehdi, what can you say about the support you receive from Sofitel?

MB:They have been a partner for a long time and it’s very important they are with me. I want to thank them and I want to thank the people of Morocco. I am also happy that we have this race for the people of Morocco, it is our event. And big thanks to the fans for their support, even when you are in the car flat out racing you can hear the noise of the people. This really does mean a lot to me.