Andrea Barlesi is working towards a return in the FIA World Touring Car Championship after the young 21 year old Belgian driver was forced to withdraw from the series.
Barlesi joined the WTCC for 2012 with Sunred Engineering, having spent most of his career driving in various sportscar series, including the 2011 Intercontinental Le Mans Cup for Pescarolo and the Blancpain Endurance Series at the wheel of a Lamborghini Gallardo.
Marrakech would be Barlesi’s last appearance at the wheel of the #40 Sunred Engineering Sunred SR Leon 1.6T, and it was around the streets of the Moroccan city which he secured his career best results.
Having finished 13th in the opening race, Barlesi then secured a 14th place finish in round six. His results meant that he picked up three points in the Yokohama Independents’ trophy classification.
Sadly for the Belgian youngster, the Marrakech weekend was his last appearance in the WTCC as his budget ran out. Since then, he has been chasing the funds to secure a return to the grid.
Speaking exclusively to TouringCars.Net, Barlesi said: “I was waiting to close a big sponsor contract, but they preferred to sign with another team, in another series.
“I had the budget for the first three races, and now my budget is over,” added the Belgian racer. “That’s why I don’t race since the Morocco Grand prix. It’s a shame… But that’s the motor racing world.”
Undeterred, Barlesi is looking for a return to the series either later in 2012 or for the 2013 Championship.
“I hope to be back soon,” concluded Barlesi. “I try to close a new sponsor deal to be back in WTCC this year or next year.”