Under new regulations for 2016, the reverse grid rule will be applied to the Opening Race with López starting P10. Providing he can get his Citroën C-Elysée WTCC through the first 16-lap contest unscathed, then the Argentine will take up his DHL-presented pole spot for the extended 17-lap weekend finale.

“I’m really happy because this was the pole I missed for the last two years,” said López. “I really had to fight with Yvan in sector one but my last two sectors were good. Every pole position is important but this one is very important to start the year like this.”

López’s lap of 1m28.950s eclipsed Loeb’s benchmark time of 1m29.245s set last season. He is now equal third with Alain Menu on the all-time list of WTCC career poles and two away from second-placed Gabriele Tarquini.

Honda’s Tiago Monteiro will join López on the front row for the Main Race. Yvan Muller will start third in a second factory Citroën with WTCC Trophy contender Tom Coronel a shock fourth in his privateer Chevrolet. Muller suggested a small amount of oversteer through the Double Droite du Beausset section cost him time, while Coronel was actually unable to complete his lap due to a brake issue. “It was a big surprise to be in Q3,” said the charismatic Dutchman. “I felt big pressure in the brake but there was no force and I said ‘okay’, I have to abort the lap. I knew [Nicky Catsburg] was out and to beat these guys would be dreaming. I was happy with the situation.”

LADA driver Nicky Catsburg also progressed to the Qualifying Q3 shootout but was prevented from setting a lap time when he arrived too late at the pit exit.

Elsewhere, Thed Björk narrowly missed out on a Q3 slot for WTCC newcomer Polestar Cyan Racing, while Norbert Michelisz marked his first appearance in the WTCC as a factory driver by setting the seventh fastest time in his works Honda. Rob Huff was P10 in Qualifying Q2, which would have earned him pole for Sunday’s Opening Race.

However, with Björk’s times disallowed after his Volvo S60 failed a ground clearance check, Huff was promoted to P9 on his first outing for Honda and Hugo Valente to P10 and first place on the Opening Race grid in his LADA. Like Michelisz, the Frenchman is also a product of the WTCC Trophy and has been handed a dream chance with a factory team for 2016.

Following this link for the Qualifying classification and starting grids: http://media.fiawtcc.com/races-2016-overview/race-of-france-2016/

WHAT’S NEXT (Sunday 3 April)
12h15: WTCC Opening Race (16 laps)
12h55 (approx..): WTCC Opening Race podium
13h10 (approx.): Post-Opening Race press conference (Media Centre). Top-three drivers and WTCC Trophy winner in attendance
14h00-14h30: Autograph session (WTCC Fan Village)
17h15: WTCC Main Race (17 laps)
17h55 (approx.): WTCC Main Race podium
18h10 (approx..): Post-Main Race press conference (Media Centre). Top-three drivers and WTCC Trophy winner in attendance. Additional drivers may be invited to attend.

Timings are provisional and subject to change. Additional activities may be arranged.