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Tom Coronel joins WTCC

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A regular competitor in the FIA European Touring Car Championship, Tom Coronel will follow the championship in its new World Championship Status. The Dutch driver, who claimed last year the FIA ETCC Michelin Independents Trophy, will drive a SEAT Toledo Cupra car entered by SEAT Sport Holland.

Two cars are currently being prepared at SEAT Sport’s workshop in Spain; they will be delivered on Thursday, 7th April in Monza to the UK-based GR Asia team, that will run the programme on behalf of SEAT Sport Holland. “Since the end of last season I’ve been working hard to put together a good programme,” team principal Paul Ridgway explained. “I’m really really pleased, because with SEAT and Tommy we have an excellent package. We are currently negotiating with a few other drivers for the second car, but I can confirm that both will take part in the opening meeting at Monza.”

This is a big change for Tom Coronel, who had raced Carly Motors’ BMW cars for many years, emerging as one of the most consistent drivers of the field. Despite he was fighting for the Independents Trophy he also managed to claim outstanding overall results: six podiums, one pole position (Oschersleben 2002) and one fastest lap (Spa 2004). “I’m so relieved, because this deal came at the last minute to save me from a dull season. I knew that I had done a good job last year, but it seemed that nobody cared. This is a great opportunity for me, and I do not want to waste it,” commented Coronel.