José María López wins DHL Pole Position Award for the second time

For José María López, the grand finale to the 2016 FIA World Touring Car Championship in Qatar was a very special highlight in his motor racing career: the Citroën C-Elysée driver was not only presented with his third successive WTCC winner’s trophy at the end of the night race on Losail International Circuit in Doha but also received the DHL Pole Position Award - this too for the second time in succession.

“Winning the DHL Pole Position Award in 2015 was a great feeling, and I am very proud to win it again for a second consecutive year,” said José María López, who was the fastest driver in seven out of eleven qualifying sessions. In France, Hungary, Morocco, Germany, Argentina, Japan and China, the Argentinean qualified as first on the grid.

Qualifying is the most decisive step before a race.

José María López

“Qualifying is the most decisive step before a race. With this award, DHL has highlighted that selecting the right strategies, preparing thoroughly and delivering a strong performance in qualifying can give you a clear advantage over the competition and put you closer to the podium before the main racing action has started. I am delighted to receive this accolade and to see my hard work in this area recognized,” said López. This season, he won no fewer than eight races, thereby securing the drivers’ and team title for the third year in succession.

“José María López has continuously proved his will, spirit and determination during the FIA World Touring Car Championship. Not only has he proved to be the best during qualifying but he has delivered this constant level of excellence right through to the checkered flag, making him the well-deserved winner of the 2016 championship," said Trent Eastgate, DHL Express VP Commercial in Qatar, who presented the trophy to López at a special ceremony after the last qualifying session in Qatar.

The DHL Pole Position Award emphasizes the importance of speed, preparation and determination not only during the race but also in logistics. "We support this award because the qualities needed to secure a pole position and the important role preparation plays in a driver’s final position in a race resonates very highly with our own business. DHL is committed to high standards in everything we do, from planning through to execution, and we are intensely focused on making sure that our logistics services contribute to making WTCC a success,” said Eastgate.

López who will end his career in WTCC after this season, will be donating the prize money to Fundación Baccigalupo, a charitable foundation supporting social integration of mentally disabled people through sports. From next season on, he will return to Formula racing by starring in the FIA Formula E Championships, where DHL is also an official founding and logistics partner.