Present: 
Thed Björk, Polestar Cyan Racing
Nicky Catsburg, LADA Sport Rosneft
Esteban Guerrieri, Campos Racing
José María López, Citroën Total WTCC
Norbert Michelisz, Honda Racing Team JAS
Fernando Gorbaran, President and CEO, Messe Frankfurt Argentina
François Ribeiro, Head of Eurosport Events, WTCC promoter
Ricardo Sosa, Sub-secretary of Tourism, Santiago del Estero

Q:
How important is this race to the Santiago del Estero region?

RS:
For us as part of the government of Santiago del Estero it’s a pleasure to host the WTCC for a fourth consecutive year. It’s actually the first world championship we hosted as a circuit after it was built in 2013 and in that context it’s important for the province to keep doing the WTCC races here. We see it as a good touristic opportunity but also from a sporting side it’s important because of the magnitude of the event. The tourism idea is good for the region and certainly makes a big impact from an economical point of view. Not only that but foreign people, foreign tourists and media people are visiting us. Then there are social networks and TV broadcasters across the globe showing what we have here and that is priceless for us. It has been our decision to keep on pushing for this event to come here and it should be like that later on. The difference with tourism is it might be a business but the sport generates a passion in the fans and this is an attractive detail too. Obviously Pechito’s presence all these years at our circuit has been very important and thanks to his result and the support of the province and nation that we are able to say now this is the fourth edition of the race. For the WTCC to join us in Termas where we have the MotoGP and also the Dakar bivouac is very important.

Q:
This is the WTCC’s fourth visit to Argentina. Put simply why do you keep coming back?

FR:
We’ve come a long way since 2013 when we took the decision to come here. We had no Argentinian on the grid but then an Argentinian driver came later with Pechito and the popularity of the WTCC in Argentina and throughout Latin America is completely different now. We are very happy to come here and we hope it will be the best edition. We thank the work of the province and the government for putting this together in what is the election year because we know this is always difficult to manage.

Q:
There are two local heroes in action this year – what do you think of Esteban Guerrieri’s chances?

FR:
He will do what Pechito has done in 2013. Play smart and target the top 10 and start in a good position for the Opening Race. It’s good. There’s not a single week when I do not receive a phone call from an Argentinian driver looking to come to the WTCC. Pechito opened the way and the WTCC has brought him a lot internationally and gave the inspiration for other talented drivers to join the world championship.

Q:
It was your company that was brave enough four years ago to say we can do a round of the WTCC in Argentina after Brazil in South America. Time has gone by and now we are celebrating four editions of the WTCC in Argentina. How pleased are you?

FG:
As I have said before when a group of Argentinians gather to work for a nice cause we can be unstoppable enough to organise an event like this, which we did for the first time four years ago and now we are celebrating four editions of this race in Argentina. It’s team work and a lot of commitment. It’s a nice responsibility because these events have proved it was worth it and it has been a big success.

Q:
This is really your first full season – and the first for the Volvo S60 Polestar TC1 – in the WTCC. How’s it been going so far?

TB:
I would say it’s absolutely amazing to be in the WTCC in a factory car as the Volvo. To look at championship, the drivers and the other factory teams and be as good as thy are… starting this season has been challenging as it should be with ups and downs but we are learning a lot and I am very happy to be here, driving and learning in each race.

Q:
You’ve spoken about recharging your batteries during the short summer break. How ready are you for the second half of the season?

TB:
Stronger than ever with full batteries! To be new in the championship with the team it’s been a very hectic start with many races. The team has put in a lot of work, all the mechanics, everybody and it’s good to have some rest in the summer months. Not just me but also the team is recharged and ready to go in the second half of the season. We’re working hard to try to be faster, try to get podiums and maybe a win in the second half of the season.

Q:
It’s been a busy few days for you – what was keeping you busy last weekend and how did it go?

NC:
Last week I had the 24 Hours of Spa in Belgium. It’s always a tough event and I hardly had any sleep during the night so before coming here I did not have a lot of rest.

Q:
Turning back to the WTCC, LADA scored its first WTCC podium and Termas and you gave LADA its first pole and Main Race victory earlier this year. What’s the target for this weekend?

NC:
This track suits our car if you look at last year. This year we have made a lot of improvements to the car and personally I have a lot of expectations. We have to wait for the weather. If it rains, we can be stronger than in the dry. But we’re really looking forward to scoring some podiums.

FR:
We don’t want any rain. We had only one dry race we’ve come here for good temperatures, good weather and a good atmosphere, that’s what we want!

Q:
Is a victory possible based on the testing you have done in the summer?

NC:
I definitely think so. The last couple of races we’ve consistently shown we’ve been strong enough to fight for the podium. In the little break we’ve had we’ve continuously developed the car and found more speed. Whether it’s rain or dry – and I know we want dry François, we’re strong enough to fight for the podium and perhaps even a win.

Q:
We’ve seen you in the WTCC for a number of years as a privateer but now you’re here as a factory driver. How’s it going?

NM:
First of all, it was a very nice welcome here in Santiago del Estero. It’s always good to come to places where people are so enthusiastic about the sport. A lot has changed for me this season. I always said I want to win the world championship at one point in my career and to arrive at this point I needed factory support, which meant leaving Zengő Motorsport. They remain friends of mine and we have a good relationship. But I had to move on. It’s not easy with the competition inside the team. Tiago and Rob are tough references but the target is to progress and get close to Pechito.

Q
Welcome to the WTCC Esteban. How big an opportunity is this for you?

EG:
Welcome from our side to all these drivers. I am very happy to be in Santiago del Estero and to have the opportunity to race at Termas again. I am very thankful to everybody, François at the WTCC, Fernando at Messe Frankfurt for the promotion he does locally. After almost 10 years of racing in Europe and then two more in the USA I was really hoping to make an international comeback and doing it in a world championship in the WTCC is really great. The drivers here admire the way Pechito has been growing in this championship to become champion and now it is me having the opportunity to race in this category and I am very happy because I didn’t want to miss it. One thing that never happened to me despite racing abroad was I never did an international race in my home country so this will be the first time. It’s a weekend in which I will have many things to learn but I trust the Campos Racing team for Spain they can do a good job and understand what I have to do, which is adapt to the new car, the systems, the practice, the qualifying. Probably I will have a better chance with the reverse grid and there is a good possibility to do a good job by the end of Sunday.

Q:
Turning to Pechito, what does it mean to you to be back at this track where your WTCC story began?

JML:
I am very, very happy to be racing in Argentina again. The first year I came to this circuit for the WTCC I was doing three national championships and I had already done 43 races but it was a free weekend so my father pushed me and convinced me to do this race. It is a little embarrassing to admit it but it was he who pushed me and convinced me to rent that BMW. It was an opportunity in life and it was such an important move for me in my career because it opened the door to what I achieved recently. Everything what happened after that story in Termas was fantastic and I must also thank Citroën for all these years giving me such a performing car and to the fans in Santiago and the whole country for their continued support. It’s a track where I always have a great feeling. Before WTCC I won in TC2000 and Súper TC2000 so it’s always been a special place for me. The track has had some changes in the course of time but essentially it’s wide, fast and very interesting. After four or five weeks without being at the wheel of a racing car, for a professional race driver with a big passion it’s a long time so I am really looking forward to getting in our car and competing.

Q:
Your team-mates Rob Huff and Tiago Monteiro have both won this season but, so far, victory has eluded you. What’s your plan for changing that statistic?

NM:
You’re right. Unfortunately, I was seven or eight times on the podium this year but we did not manage to win a race. Of course that’s the most important thing individually but unfortunately it’s not come so far. I’ve always liked Termas since 2013 when I drove on the track for the first time. It’s one of my favourites. It’s wide and possible to overtake. When I started at the back of the field like last year I managed to finish fifth or sixth so I really like this race.

Q:
You know the track but the WTCC and the car are all-new for you. What can you achieve?

EG:
I’ve not had much opportunity to talk to colleagues until now but I will do so tomorrow when I first climb into the car. The last couple of seasons have been busy for me in Súper 2000, which has similar power. Of course it’s a handicap to climb into the car on Friday without a previous test but, to be honest, it’s something that happened to me a lot in my career. I have had situations when I am new to a category and have been in a rush to get to grips with a new car all of a sudden. But I will have some serious conversations with the team to get all the details they can tell me. And then when I am at the wheel of the car to have my first taste and feelings to tell to the team what my needs are and to try to do my best with the Chevrolet.

Q:
This is your third full season in the WTCC. What are some of the main qualities of the championship?

JML:
I had the time of my life in the WTCC. I will always thank them for the chance they gave me to allow me to participate in this category and thanks to Citroën of course for the chance to travel the world again and compete almost everywhere at the top level. It was very hard to take the decision to move categories for my near future but that’s the way it goes and I will always be thankful to everyone in the support for what was like a dream come true for me from 2014 onwards. It is the only touring car championship of the FIA in the world but it feels like a big family and it is still a great experience for me to be part of this championship and something I will always appreciate.

Questions from the floor

Q:
Emiliano Checa (Super Prime FM 96.1, Tucuman) to José María López: What does it feel like to be the favourite to win and to be the favourite of the fans?

JML:
It’s always very special and always as it should be because it’s my country. It’s been a busy week with the promotional affairs and with lots of things to do but it feels nice after not competing for one month. Walking through the Buenos Aires streets and the feeling when I landed in Tucuman to approach the Termas circuit, which means so much to me. All of a sudden I am feeling the extraordinary support of the motorsport fans here and I am very excited to know a lot pf people are going to come to the circuit during the race weekend supporting me as they always have done since 2013. So for sure it’s a climax moment for me in the season.

Q:
Mercedes Pucci (AM Radio LV12, Tucuman) to Esteban Guerrieri: What does it mean to you to be making your debut in the world championship in the WTCC?

EB:
It’s great news since I found out I might have the opportunity to compete in the WTCC even if at the moment it’s a one-off. It’s a special feeling to be a local driver and the second Argentinian on the grid. It’s a special to race in a world championship at home and it’s going to be difficult for me compared to what I have done in the past. I am proud to represent Argentina this weekend without losing the main target or the focus to get a decent performance in the car as far as I can to adapt to it.

Q:
Claudio Sajnin (Channel 10, Tucuman) to Esteban Guerrieri: A few months ago could you imagine you would be competing in the WTCC?

EG:
Not really, it was organised almost all of a sudden. As Pechito said this is a good opportunity for me in my life as a race car driver. I want to enjoy to the maximum together with the people following me. Of course I would like to continue in the WTCC but that is a matter for trying to get the sponsors and the support for a proper full-time race programme in the championship.

Q:
Claudio Sajnin (Channel 10, Tucuman) to François Ribeiro: will Argentina still be in the WTCC next year, will there be any Argentinian drivers?

FR:
You can count on me to do everything I can to keep Argentina on the calendar and keep also Argentinian drivers in the championship. Immediately after this race Volvo stays in Termas to test an Argentinian driver. Come to Termas on Saturday and Sunday and you will see him!