Esteban Guerrieri says he is anticipating getting an ‘extra boost’ racing in front of his home fans, as the World Touring Car Championship heads to Termas de Río Hondo in Argentina this weekend.
Campos Racing’s Guerrieri made his WTCC début at the circuit in 2016, when he made an immediate impression by putting his Chevrolet Cruze in Q3 at the first attempt, before following it up with sixth in the Main Race.
Off the back of those results, Guerrieri was given the opportunity to take part in more races in 2017, where he took victory in the first race of the season in Morocco.
With Guerrieri’s initial five-event deal having been extended, and his home race being next on the calendar, the 32-year-old Argentine admits he is expecting a bit of a ‘home advantage’.
“It’s a race I will really enjoy and I hope the people compete to support me and also Bebu [Girolami],” said Guerrieri. “I will approach the weekend like I do any other weekend but racing at home will give an extra boost.”
Guerrieri has spent 2017 dovetailing his WTCC campaign with a full season in the Argentine Súper TC2000 series, and he admits that the logistics of maintaining the two campaigns has been a challenge.
“I love what I’m doing,” continued Guerrieri. “Racing around the world is like a dream come true. I love travelling and I love adapting to new circumstances on the track and off the track.
“I always try to go to the limit and this also gives me a lot of joy. Then there’s the atmosphere that’s created around a world championship.
“It’s not taking me much time to readapt to each car but it’s taking a couple of days to readapt after the flying. I have to listen to what my body wants.”
Looking back to his first taste of the WTCC in 2017, Guerrieri admits to feeling a little frustrated not to have taken the battle to the front-runners, as he had to settle for a points finish in the Main Race following an Opening Race retirement.
“It was a feeling like it was close but no cigar. But I believe things happen for a reason and I couldn’t change it. It was an opportunity to really perform but I couldn’t wrap it up so that was a little bit of a bad feeling.
“Nevertheless, I got to know the WTCC and made a good impression by being fast. The goal was achieved because what happened in Argentina last year means we are here now.”