Former Independents champion Tom Coronel has confirmed his entry into the 2008 World Touring Car Championship, although the Dutch driver is to move away from the GR Asia team.
Coronel has raced for the team since 2005 and lifted the Independents crown at the wheel of a SEAT Leon back in 2006, but will now move to the Sun Red SEAT team as the Spanish outfit moves into the WTCC for a full season for the first time.
The charismatic Dutch driver will once again drive a petrol-powered Leon during the season ahead and said he was pleased that a deal had been done for him to remain in the series.
"I am delighted that, thanks to the enthusiastic involvement of the Dutch SEAT organisation, I am able to race again in the WTCC this year," he said. "For me, this is the most beautiful championship there is and on top of that, I have the best package I have had to date.
"Sun Red has a vast experience in motor racing. For instance, they entered five cars in last year's Spanish SEAT Leon Supercopa and they also raced a self-developed prototype in the Spanish GT championship. During last year's WTCC season finale in Macau, Sun Red also ran Rickard Rydell's Leon on behalf of SEAT Sport."
Coronel added that he was looking forward to being able to embark on a proper testing programme during the season ahead and said he was confident that the petrol-powered machine will remain competitive against the diesel cars that debuted during 2007.
"I will be taking part in the official
FIA test sessions this season, which allows me to rack up mileage with the car outside of the races," he said. "That wasn't the case in previous years. Moreover, I see extra opportunities because recent changes in the technical regulations enhance the chances of the SEATs with petrol engines, whereas restrictions have been put in place for the diesel-powered cars.
