Tom Coronel aims at top three in 2013 - video

Eemnes, February 12th, 2013 – In 2013, Tom Coronel will again be racing in the FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC). Having finalised his sponsorship negotiations, the 40-year old Dutch driver knows that he will again be competing with the BMW 320 TC, run by Italian team ROAL Motorsport this year. The team, led by former champion Roberto Ravaglia, aims at a top three classification in the 2013 World Touring Car Championship. Darryl O’Young is driving the team’s second BMW and has his eyes set on victory in the Drivers’ Trophy, the classification for privateer drivers in the FIA WTCC.

Tom Coronel is glad that he will be competing for another year at the highest level in touring car racing. “There is no doubt about it, economic conditions are difficult. Fortunately, most of my sponsors are remaining on board for 2013 and we also have succeeded in attracting a few new ones,” says Coronel. With his participation in 2013, he is the driver with the highest number of WTCC races, together with reigning world champion Rob Huff.

For the third consecutive year, Coronel will be working together with the ROAL Motorsport team. “At the end of last year, I already spoke at length with Roberto Ravaglia, who made it clear to me that the team had every reason to continue our existing partnership. During the winter, the team has tried everything to make the BMW lighter and better. Other than in previous years, we are now quite close to the minimum weight set out in the regulations, which certainly will give us an advantage. Moreover, the Chevrolet works-team is no longer present in the series this year and therefore, our chances have improved, but that also goes for other teams. With ROAL Motorsport, we are aiming at top three results in the races and in the championship. We are very well used to each other within the team, the cars are perfectly prepared and after changes in the regulations, front-wheel driven cars no longer have any advantages in terms of weight. Of course, the opposition has been working hard, too. Honda, for instance, is joining the series with its own works-team, but I am very confident that we can be among the front runners for this year.”

Coronel adds: “Together with Intrax shock absorbers, we will further improve the suspension. Experience learns that shock absorbers often make the difference in the process of fine-tuning the car. This is one of the many elements that should give us an advantage this year. Another positive element is that the championship gets underway in Italy on March 24th, so very close to ROAL Motorsport’s home base. That gives us plenty of opportunities to test the car, even just before the first race.”

Coronel’s new team-mate Darryl O’Young from Hong Kong has plenty of experience in international motor racing. He has been a regular in the FIA WTCC for many years and is changing to ROAL Motorsport’s rear-wheel driven BMWs for 2013. Coronel says about his new team-mate: “I have known Darryl for a long time already. He is an all-round driver with a lot of experience, not only in the WTCC, but also in GT racing. His experience will be very useful to get to results in a quicker and better way in testing. I think that his arrival is making the team stronger. There will be no team orders, because we are both competing for different titles. For Darryl, this year is all about winning the title in the Drivers’ Trophy.” ROAL Motorsport Team principal Roberto Ravaglia said: “We are very confident while looking forward to the new season. Tom is part of our family and we are pleased to welcome Darryl in the team. They are both experienced drivers and have proved they can compete for top positions in the WTCC. With them on board our team can aim for some important results: Tom has the potential to fight for the top three in the Drivers’ Championship and Darryl for the Yokohama Trophy title.”

Like in previous years, Eurosport will broadcast the FIA WTCC events.

Calender 2013 FIA WTCC
Italy 23-24 March
Morocco 06-07 April
Slovakia 27-28 April
Hungary 04-05 May
Austria 18-19 May
Russia 08-09 June
Portugal 29-30 June
Brazil 27-28 July

Tom Coronel