Dutch WTCC ace Tom Coronel will take part in the forthcoming 2017 FIA World Touring Car Championship season, remaining with Roberto Ravaglia and Aldo Preo’s ROAL Motorsport operation.
The 44-year-old has raced in the WTCC with the Italian outfit since 2011, and will again compete with the #9 RML Chevrolet Cruise for a fourth consecutive year. The car will also be sporting the same bright yellow livery, as per last season.
Coronel is a two-time WTCC Independents’ champion, taking two wins last year at the Opening Races of Morocco and Portugal and a second place finish at the second race in Argentina.
It saw him finish 11th in the overall standings, along with finishing third in the WTCC Trophy class, behind eventual champion Mehdi Bennani and Tom Chilton.
The announcement from the Naarden-based driver was headlined with the “Never Change a Winning Team” slogan, as the same team will support his 2017 campaign.
“I guess that everybody is used to seeing me there by now,” said Coronel. “But jokes aside, I have to say that I am really proud that I have managed to be on the grid for the upcoming World Touring Car Championship season. This is a nice basis for my 2017 racing campaign.
“As I said, many things remain the same. The car, ROAL Motorsport with Roberto Ravaglia and Aldo Preo for the seventh year in a row, my regular crew of mechanics led by Pietro, the many loyal sponsors and the characteristic yellow, red and black livery on my car that comes with it, even my starting number remains the same”
The first race weekend of the 2017 WTCC season gets the action underway at Circuit Moulay El Hassan on the 7th of April.