Toyota to make debut, Ceresoli switches to Leon.

The seventh round of the World Touring Car Championship will see a Toyota take its place on the grid following the confirmation that Philip Geipel will make his debut at the next round in Brno, Czech Republic.

Currently piloting a Corolla T-Sport in the German ADAC Procar Series, where he holds third place in the championship, 19-year-old Geipel will race with the car under the TFS-Yaco Racing Team banner, although he will have to carry a 20kg weight handicap as part of his debut.

Maurizio Ceresoli (ITA), SEAT Toledo Cupra.World Touring Car Championship, Brands Hatch, Kent. 20-21
Maurizio Ceresoli (ITA), SEAT Toledo Cupra.World Touring Car Championship,…
© Mike Weston

The seventh round of the World Touring Car Championship will see a Toyota take its place on the grid following the confirmation that Philip Geipel will make his debut at the next round in Brno, Czech Republic.

Currently piloting a Corolla T-Sport in the German ADAC Procar Series, where he holds third place in the championship, 19-year-old Geipel will race with the car under the TFS-Yaco Racing Team banner, although he will have to carry a 20kg weight handicap as part of his debut.

It is not the first time Toyota have raced, or rather attempted to race, in the WTCC after several Asian Touring Car Toyota Altezza's competed at last season's finale at Macau, albeit failing to qualify for the race itself.

Meanwhile, the one remaining SEAT Toledo of GR Asia's Maurizio Ceresoli will be consigned to the history books when the Italian joins team-mate Tom Coronel in switching to a Le?n for the remainder of the season.

Currently fifth in the Independent standings, Ceresoli has satisfied the team enough for him to be gifted the SEAT Sport built vehicle and become the eighth Le?n to line-up on the grid.

"Maurizio has shown consistent progress throughout the season, and I think that the new car will be a terrific motivation for him, " team manager Paul Ridgway said.

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