Stefano D’Aste to go it alone with new team

Stefano D’Aste will compete in the 2013 FIA World Touring Car Championship in a BMW 320 TC for his own team, PB Motorsport, parting ways with Wiechers-Sport this season.

The 37-year-old will start his new team from scratch, entering a BMW 320 TC this year. The Italian has been a regular in the Championship since it began in 2005, taking his first two race victories in 2012 with Wiechers-Sport at Austria and Japan.

D’Aste also won the independent drivers’ trophy in 2007 whilst with the team. D’Aste’s also competed with the Proteam Motorsport outfit during his time in the WTCC. In 2011 he drove a partial season for Wiechers-Sport whilst also competing in the final season of the GT4 European Cup, where he finished third in the standings.

“I am happy with the decision to race with my own team,” said D’Aste. “We have obviously a lot to learn, which is why we prefer to run only one car this year. In these days I am putting the team together, hiring the staff, buying the equipment. We are incredibly motivated for this new challenge and this will help us to be ready in time for the first event that is only three weeks away.”

The team will have its official launch on March 9th at Franciacorta.