Photo: Polestar Cyan Racing

Néstor Girolami fully focussed on WTCC chance, turns down dual programme

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Néstor Girolami says his main focus is on winning the 2017 World Touring Car Championship drivers’ title with Volvo, confirming he turned down offers to return to the Super TC 2000 Championship alongside his WTCC programme this year.

The 27-year-old will compete in his first full season in the WTCC with Volvo this season, taking up the mantle from fellow Argentinian José María López as the country’s main hope in the championship.

Although no rounds of this year’s Argentinian Super TC 2000 Championship clash with the WTCC, the 2014-2015 series champion, who has moved to Gothenburg right next to Cyan Racing’s base, says he quickly ruled out racing in both series.

“They tried to convince me to do Super TC 2000, but I want to put all my focus into WTCC as it’s a big opportunity so I need to put all my effort into this championship,” said Girolami to TouringCarTimes.

“I am extremely grateful for this opportunity with Polestar Cyan Racing,” he added. “If I look at my first race with them last year, it was really promising and I felt right at home with the team. I hope together with Thed and Nicky to take a step forward in the results list. The championship is a very high goal, but we have a very good opportunity.”

The team’s line-up has changed from all-Swedes to a mix this year, with Dutchman Nicky Catsburg also joining the team. As a result, the team will work in English, almost a second language for most Swedes, but one that Girolami has been learning quickly since his first WTCC opportunity came two years ago’ with a test at Lada in Hungary.

“My English continues to improve,” he said. “I’m studying at the moment and taking classes every day. Everybody speaks in English and the meetings are in English.

“If I need to say anything in Spanish, there is one guy in the team who’s Spanish, and if Thed needs to explain something in Swedish, he can talk in Swedish, but in general, we’ll be working in English.”

Girolami refers to his race engineer this year, Joan Servia, who’s joined the team from Lada Sport during the off season. Servia worked with Rob Huff during 2013-2015 at Münnich and Lada, and Gabriele Tarquini last season, notching up six victories with the skilled pair in mid-field cars.

The Argentinian believes Volvo will be the ones to beat this year, but competition will be tough.

“This year will be very close,” said Girolami. “Rob (Huff) with the Citroën will be strong, and Honda as well, but I think Volvo have made the step forward to be able win the title.”