Photo: ROAL Motorsport, ETCC Media

ROAL Motorsport back with Tom Coronel for 2011

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Tom Coronel will drive a BMW for the first time in the WTCC, as ROAL Motorsport announce their WTCC return with a 1.6 turbo powered BMW 320TC

ROAL Motorsport left the WTCC at the end of 2009 when BMW slimmed down its manufacturer supported effort. The team focused its attention on the SuperStars Series where they won the 2010 championship with Thomas Biagi.

“The comeback in FIA WTCC, alongside the commitment in the Superstars Series, will constitute a rich sportive programme that makes ROAL Motorsport the only team present in both the two most important touring car international championships” said Team Principal Robert Ravaglia.

“Lately, we worked hard on the organization of all human and technical resources within the team to guarantee the maximum autonomy to both activities and the contribution of a fast and well experienced driver like Tom Coronel will be a further added value for the team”.

“The technical package devised by BMW Motorsport is certainly interesting and I believe it will allow customer teams to aim at high level results”.

Tom Coronel, who returns to a rear-wheel drive BMW as he raced in the European Touring Car days, ends a six year spell driving SEATs by moving to the independent BMW squad.

“I have the feeling that I won the Italian lottery and hit the jackpot!” said Coronel.

“It is so great to work with the ROAL team and especially with Roberto Ravaglia. I even raced with him in the early nineties”.

“I have known ROAL for many years now, first in ETCC and later in WTCC, this is a race winning team! What also helps is that Roberto raced himself and does have a lot of experience as a racing driver and now as a team owner”.

“This improves the communication, understanding and technical knowhow within the team. The most important thing after that is the Italian racing blood, which is unique and an experience in itself”.