Esteban Guerrieri still chasing WTCC drive for 2017

Argentinian driver Esteban Guerrieri aspires to be on the WTCC grid full-time in 2017 after a strong debut at Termas de Río Hondo earlier this year, with the signs looking quite ominous that the 31-year-old will depart Toyota Team Argentina in the Super TC 2000 Championship at the end of their season.

Guerrieri made his WTCC debut in a second Chevrolet RML Cruze TC1 at his home race in August, topping both free practice sessions and missing out on pole position only due to a team error.

Technical problems during the races meant he was unable to transform his Saturday pace into results on Sunday, but the former Indy Lights and Formula Renault 3.5 driver still has his sights set on a WTCC drive next year, to take up the mantle of departing Argentine José María López.

“It was quite a surprise for everyone what happened in Termas,” said Guerrieri. “I went there with my mind set to give my 100%, and it came out to be a battle for pole position and great potential all weekend. The reaction among the media was big, as the attention wasn’t set exactly on myself prior to the race weekend, and afterwards everybody gave full credit of what Campos Racing and myself could perform on the track.”

On whether he expects to be on track in 2017, the Argentinian added:
“The hopes are still there. My plan would be to get involved in a programme with an official factory team. So far it has not been much of a progress on that plan, but I never give up easily, I will keep searching for it. (But also to try) to do some races during 2017 could be a good way to still be involved in the WTCC world, and to see about capitalising an option for 2018 with a full programme.”