Manuel Pedro Fernandes set for WTCC debut at Vila Real

Portuguese driver Manuel Pedro Fernandes is set to make his World Touring Car Championship debut next month as the championship returns to Portugal, which will race at the Vila Real circuit. Fernandes will be driving the third Chevrolet RML Cruze TC1 of Campos Racing.

The Portuguese touring car driver and former Formula Ford Portugal driver will take over the Spanish team’s third car, which was raced this weekend at the Slovakiaring by Mat’o Homola. It will be his debut in the WTCC and he will be the second local driver on the grid in addition to Honda’s Tiago Monteiro.

Fernandes had originally been forced to abandon plans to take part in his home race due to budget issues, but a new proposal from Campos Racing last week has now seen the Portuguese driver able to arrange the funding for the drive.

“After an intense week of work trying to resolve a number of issues that came to light with the new proposal, Manuel Pedro Fernandes has today finally been able to confirm his presence in the Vila Real race with the Chevrolet Cruze of Campos Racing,” confirms the event promoter to TouringCarTimes.