Tom Chilton will mount an assault on both the World and British Touring Car Championships in 2017, after it was confirmed that the Brit will continue with Sébastien Loeb Racing in the WTCC this year.
Chilton was recently revealed as a driver for the Power Maxed Racing works Vauxhall team in the 2017 BTCC.
Now it has been announced that the 31-year-old Brit will also continue in the WTCC, with the calendars for both championships making a dual campaign possible with no date clashes.
“It’s going to be a busy year but I’m immensely proud and excited to be working with Sébastien Loeb Racing again in what is going to be a thrilling season,” said Chilton, who will continue in a private Citroën C-Elysée WTCC. “The 2016 season delivered some amazing moments that I want to carry into this year and improve on my second place in the WTCC Trophy.
“I would also like to thank our sponsor, international insurance brokerage and risk management services firm Arthur J. Gallagher, for their ongoing support. Winning on the track or in business is almost always the result of strong partnerships and teamwork.
“I am fortunate to have amazing support from both the Sébastien Loeb Racing team and Gallagher and look forward to more wins over the coming months.”
Sébastien Loeb Racing co-founder and Team Principal Dominique Heintz is looking forward to working with Chilton again as the team enters its third season in the WTCC.
“We’re pleased to continue this adventure with Tom,” said Heintz. “His first season with us was really successful. He quickly got on with the team, bringing his strong experience in the discipline – and great speed.
“He’s an ambitious driver and wishes to climb onto the highest step of the podium, including in the overall rankings. He’s got what it takes to meet that objective – as he has shown in the past – and even more so after a year of racing at the wheel of the C-Elysée.
“His double programme in WTCC/BTCC is an amazing challenge. We like such challenges and we can only support him in this mission.”
François Ribeiro, Head of WTCC promoter Eurosport Events, believes that Chilton stands a strong chance of taking the overall title in his sixth season in the championship.
“Tom is part of the WTCC,” added Ribeiro. “He’s worked hard and progressed each season and proved again last year that he is capable of delivering strong performances. With his pace and experience, I doubt his objective will be to win the WTCC Trophy only.
“This season is going to be very open with 10 drivers reasonably able to go for the world title, something unique among FIA world championships. The competition will be there but Tom won’t miss racing mileage this year.
“He is in a good team and has one year’s experience of the C-Elysée TC1, which are important assets for Tom.”