Shanghai WTCC: Jose Maria Lopez wins as Citroen clinches 2014 title

From pole, the Argentinean led throughout to extend his lead in the drivers' standings over Yvan Muller to 78 points.

Chinese racer Ma Qing Hua circulated within one second of Lopez until three laps from home, when the former Formula 1 Friday practice driver eased his pace.

Moscow reversed-grid winner Ma conceded a two-second margin of victory to Lopez at the chequered flag, but impressed by maintaining a healthy gap over third-place Muller.

Reigning WTCC champion Muller had a relatively lonely race but came under attack on the final lap from recovering World Rally Championship legend Sebastien Loeb in the fourth factory C-Elysee.

The four Citroens completed a formation slowing-down lap, and the expected manufacturers' crown was celebrated with red berets donned in the pitlane by team personnel.

Loeb had dropped three places at the start, and the early laps of an otherwise processional race were enlivened by the nine-time WRC champion's progress past Honda men Tiago Monteiro, Gabriele Tarquini and Norbert Michelisz.

The Civic WTCCs have been fast down the Shanghai circuit's pair of long straights this weekend, but Loeb secured sixth position from Portuguese former F1 driver Monteiro on the run out of the Turn 14 hairpin on lap two.

Tarquini was dispensed with around the outside of Turn 1 on the following tour, before Loeb outbraked Michelisz into the hairpin on lap six.

Zengo racer Michelisz survived constant attention from the factory JAS Honda drivers to secure fifth place.

Beijing Goldenport feature race winner Tom Chilton retired from eighth place on lap three when the right-rear wheel detached itself from his ROAL Motorsport Chevrolet.

After its victory celebrations at Goldenport last week, Lada suffered a comedown at Shanghai.

James Thompson retired a smoky Granta at the completion of the formation lap, while team-mates Mikhail Kozlovskiy and Goldenport winner Rob Huff also failed to complete the race distance.

RESULTS - 14 LAPS:

CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS AFTER ROUND 19 OF 24: