Photo: WTCC Media

Darryl O’Young joins Coronel at ROAL Motorsport

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Hong Kong driver Darryl O’Young will drive for ROAL Motorsport in the 2013 World Touring Car Championship season, moving across to the Italian team after driving for British squads STR and bamboo-engineering in 2012.

It will be the first time that the 32-year-old has driven a rear-wheel drive car in the World Touring Car Championship, but he has extensive experience from his joint GT and Porsche racing career.

O’Young takes over from Alberto Cerqui, who drove the car in 11 of the 12 events last season after winning the Italian Superstars title in 2011.

“We are very confident while looking forward to the new season,” said ROAL Motorsport Team Principal Roberto Ravaglia.

“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.”

O’Young’s team-mate, Tom Coronel, also confirmed today, added:
“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 (independent) drivers’ trophy.”