Tom Coronel delighted with podium result at ‘home race’

ROAL Motorsport’s Tom Coronel claimed his second podium result of the season at Spa-Francorchamps, the closest to a home race for the Dutch driver, after a great start from the reversed grid in race two, and holding off Honda’s Tiago Monteiro for the final spot.

Coronel had already had a strong first race, finishing fifth after starting eighth, passing Monteiro on the final lap as the Portuguese driver’s attempt to pass fourth placed Gianni Morbidelli’s Münnich Motorsport Chevrolet failed, and left him vulnerable to attack out of the chicane.

In race two, Coronel assumed the lead ahead of Morbidelli after a side-by-side fight through Eau Rouge, but ultimately had to cede positions when he was caught by the two Citroëns of José María López and Yvan Muller.

“I knew they were so much faster,” said Coronel after the race. “I took a lot of risks for sure at the start, going around the outside of Gianni, we went side-by-side through Eau Rouge and Raidillon, but I was four new tyres, so I just said that was mine, that’s it.

“I was hoping that (the Citroëns) would be held up by all the guys behind me, and maybe a strategy like Salzburg would have worked to see if I could fight Pechito and hope his tyres would go down, but there was no chance, he was so much better at the exit of the corners. I think because I fought with him too much Yvan was catching me too easily, so I thought Yvan, please go as fast as possible, as otherwise I’d have Tiago (past me as well).

“I’m happy with third. We’re a private outfit, we’re trying and making their lives at least a little bit difficult, and so I’m happy with that.”