Chilton "massively worried" about WTCC future

Chilton, 31, is a three-time WTCC race winner and is currently in his fifth season in the category, having joined Citroen privateer team SLR for 2016.

But with Citroen having confirmed it will end its factory programme in the championship next year, Chilton is concerned he will not have a shot at a works seat.

"For sure, I can't stay in this championship next year unless I got a manufacturer drive - and I'm worried about that," he told Motorsport.com.

"I'm massively worried, 'cause not only do I love racing in this championship, I'm also a good character for this championship. Like Tom Coronel is, we're very good characters - both very fast, very good with the media, perfect. But I just worry that, next year... every year I somehow manage to get a sponsor, but I'm really worried next year I won't be able to find one.

"Every year it does get more expensive and I think, if I can't find a sponsor for next year, I'm going to have to do something else, which I don't want. So I'm really hoping that I can find something."

Asked if he would be keen on continuing with SLR if the team remains in the series as the sole Citroen entrant - an idea that was touted in the off-season - Chilton said: "That I don't know. I really have no idea. I have hopes, but I'm not gonna get too excited about that, cause I haven't been told anything."

GT switch a possibility

A veteran of the British Touring Car Championship series prior to his WTCC switch, Chilton downplayed the idea of attempting a BTCC comeback.

He said: "I did British for 10 years, I feel like maybe I should try something else.

"I'm good in touring cars and maybe you should stick to what you know, but our cars, TC1 cars, are very close to a GT3 car - but a GT3 car is a lot easier to drive.

"And I think with me being able to drive one of these [TC1 cars] quickly on the limit, I'll hop in one of [the GT3 cars] like that and be flat out straight away.

"So there's a chance I could go down that route, if I could find a manufacturer drive there, but for them it would be a bit of a gamble, taking me on, cause they'd be like 'yeah, but you haven't raced in our championships'.

"It's very much a case of, probably need to have a bit of luck to find a drive for next year, if I'm honest."