Mehdi Bennani joins Sebastien Loeb Racing for 2015 WTCC season
Sebastien Loeb Racing has signed experienced Moroccan driver Mehdi Bennani to drive one of its two privately-entered Citroen C-Elysees in next year's World Touring Car Championship
Bennani moves across from Proteam Racing Honda, with which he scored his maiden victory in the reversed-grid race at Shanghai this year.
In the final race of this year's series in Macau, Bennani expressed his frustration at the number of reliability problems which he had suffered during the season.
"My goal is always to move forward," said Bennani. "Together with the Citroen C-Elysee, which is the world championship [winning car], I have the feeling that this project brings together all the elements needed to achieve this.
"Sebastien Loeb is a great champion and I discovered his team through its activities in GT and prototype racing.
"I am ambitious: my long-term goal is the title. That is my ultimate dream and this commitment with Sebastien Loeb Racing should allow me to get closer to that."
Nine-time World Rally champion Loeb explained his wish to run a known quantity in his team's maiden WTCC assault.
"I've rubbed shoulders with Mehdi on the circuits in 2014 and I know his competitiveness" said Loeb.
"Mehdi has a very good experience in motorsport and his feedback will be useful to the whole team.
"Mehdi shares the strong values of our team, such as the ambition and the combativeness.
"This state of mind is crucial in such a project."
Citroen's occasional fourth driver in 2014, and Moscow race winner, Ma Qing Hua has been linked to the second seat at Sebastien Loeb Racing.
The factory Citroen line-up will once again comprise its three regular 2014 drivers Jose Maria Lopez, Yvan Muller and Loeb.
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