Jose Maria Lopez: ‘I want to keep growing and fighting’ | CNN

Jose Maria Lopez: Formula E ‘a step forward,’ says triple WTCC champion

By Matthew Knight and Nicki Shields, CNN
3 minute read
Updated 5:45 AM EST, Fri March 3, 2017
Argentine Jose Maria Lopez drives for the DS Virgin Racing Formula E team.
Argentine Jose Maria Lopez drives for the DS Virgin Racing Formula E team.
Handout/Getty Images South America/Formula E via Getty Images
Lopez, 33, was seeking new challenges after a stellar touring car career. "I want to keep growing and fighting with better drivers in various categories and I think Formula E has all these things," he told CNN.
Lopez, 33, was seeking new challenges after a stellar touring car career. "I want to keep growing and fighting with better drivers in various categories and I think Formula E has all these things," he told CNN.
Formula E/Spacesuit Media
"I have so much passion for what I do -- I love racing," Lopez says.
"I have so much passion for what I do -- I love racing," Lopez says.
CNN
Lopez has been the World Touring Car champion for the past three seasons.
Lopez has been the World Touring Car champion for the past three seasons.
BORIS HORVAT/AFP/Getty Images
Lopez, seen here competing for Citroen Racing in Doha, won the World Touring Car Championship in 2014, 2015 and 2016.
Lopez, seen here competing for Citroen Racing in Doha, won the World Touring Car Championship in 2014, 2015 and 2016.
AFP/Getty Images
Lopez was a Formula One test driver for Renault during the 2006 season, clocking up an impressive 10,000 kilometers (6,200 miles).
Lopez was a Formula One test driver for Renault during the 2006 season, clocking up an impressive 10,000 kilometers (6,200 miles).
AFP/Getty Images
The Argentine returned to touring cars after his dream of an F1 race seat fell through when the USF1 team failed to get funding to start the 2010 season.
The Argentine returned to touring cars after his dream of an F1 race seat fell through when the USF1 team failed to get funding to start the 2010 season.
AFP/Getty Images
Lopez won 29 races in 71 starts in the WTCC and finished on the podium 48 times.
Lopez won 29 races in 71 starts in the WTCC and finished on the podium 48 times.
AFP/Getty Images
Lopez now drives for the DS Virgin Racing Formula E team alongside Briton Sam Bird. "Formula E is growing so fast and you have fantastic drivers and teams. For me, it was a step forward so I'm really happy to have this challenge," Lopez said.
Lopez now drives for the DS Virgin Racing Formula E team alongside Briton Sam Bird. "Formula E is growing so fast and you have fantastic drivers and teams. For me, it was a step forward so I'm really happy to have this challenge," Lopez said.
AFP/Getty Images
Lopez is still getting to grips with the single-seater formula. He retired in the season-opening Hong Kong ePrix but has finished 10th in the last two races.
Lopez is still getting to grips with the single-seater formula. He retired in the season-opening Hong Kong ePrix but has finished 10th in the last two races.
AFP/Getty Images
Lopez started 18th on the grid in Buenos Aires (pictured) -- the third race of the 2016-17 Formula E World Championship -- but moved up to the final points-scoring position at the checkered flag.
Lopez started 18th on the grid in Buenos Aires (pictured) -- the third race of the 2016-17 Formula E World Championship -- but moved up to the final points-scoring position at the checkered flag.
AFP/Getty Images
Jose Maria Lopez: Formula E 'a step forward,' says triple WTC champion

Story highlights

Lopez is reigning WTCC champion

Switch to Formula E offers new challenge

"I never believed I was gifted," Lopez says

CNN  — 

Few racing drivers have been so dominant in recent times as Jose Maria Lopez.

But after winning a third straight World Touring Car Championship last year, the Argentine felt the urge to change track – to Formula E.

Jose Maria Lopez: WTCC record 2013-201671 starts 20 poles48 podiums29 wins3 championships

“I could have stayed in WTC probably to look for more wins and championships but that’s not what I look for in motor racing,” Lopez told CNN’s Supercharged show.

“I want to keep growing and fighting with better drivers in various categories, and I think Formula E has all these things.

“It is growing so fast and you have fantastic drivers and teams. For me it was a step forward, so I’m really happy to have this challenge.”

Learning curve

Like many drivers in the electric car series, he started out with high hopes of a career in Formula One.

After a year as a test driver for Renault, he was contracted to the ill-fated USF1 team in 2010 – but it never made it to the starting grid.

Lopez bounced back from that disappointment, and dominated during four years in WTC with 29 wins and 48 podiums from 71 race starts. In two of those seasons he outshone high-profile Citroen teammate Sebastien Loeb, a record nine-time champion in the world rally series.

He has yet to make an impact in Formula E but the learning curve is steep – temporary street circuits mean limited opportunities for track testing, and adjusting to electric powertrains takes time.

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“The grip, the tires, the chassis, the weight, together makes the car very nervous and difficult to understand,” Lopez told Autosport ahead of the season-opening ePrix in Hong Kong last October.

A retirement followed in the race but there’s been steady progress since – a 10th-placed finish at November’s Marrakech ePrix in Morocco was repeated at his home race in Buenos Aires last month.

Passion and drive

In April, he will be on more familiar ground in Mexico – the fourth ePrix of the 2016-17 season will be staged at a traditional racetrack, the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.

Lopez hasn’t completely turned his back on petrol power either – the 33-year-old is scheduled to compete in the 2017 World Endurance Championship for the Toyota Gazoo Racing team.

“I have so much passion for what I do – I love racing. When I jump in the car I feel different,” he says.

“I always say this is my place in the world when I put my helmet on. I can isolate from everything and just focus and do what I do I like to do, and I’m lucky enough to do it as my work as well.”

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Despite all his success, “Pechito,” as he is known to family, friends and colleagues, has managed to keep his feet on the ground.

So what’s his secret?

“I am passionate but the years, the experience, has given me a little quietness,” he says.

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“I never believed I was a gifted guy. I like to believe that work, dedication and never giving up is very important – that’s what I have done in my career so far.”