Maxime Potty will return to the TCR Europe series in 2019, re-joining the WRT team with whom he raced in 2017 to compete in a Volkswagen Golf GTi for a second full season.
Potty previously raced with WRT in the TCR Benelux series in 2016 and 2017, as well as taking part in the one-off race for the 2016 TCR Europe Trophy with WRT.
Having taken part in TCR Europe in 2018 with Comtoyou Racing, Potty will now switch to the rival Belgian team to take on the 2019 season.
“I am going back to my first love, since I had already developed my career with WRT during my first two seasons in TCR Benelux,” said the 19-year-old. “We had a number of choices to discuss concerning TCR Europe this year, but WRT’s motivation made the difference.
“I felt a real willingness to work together and I know that it is an environment in which I feel at ease. In addition, their record speaks for itself… I am looking forward to meeting the staff with whom I worked in TCR Benelux in 2016 and 2017.
“I will also continue to have Jean-François Hemroulle as my coach, which will guarantee significant stability in our aim for good results.”
It will also mark the fourth consecutive season in which Potty has raced in Volkswagen machinery, with the Belgian being proud to maintain a consistent link with the marque.
“I am very happy indeed to continue with Volkswagen. It is a pleasure to be able to represent a manufacturer with such considerable experience in motor sport.
“I know that the customer racing department will be doing all they can to help us get the most out of our Golf GTI TCR.”
WRT Team Principal Vincent Vosse is pleased to have Potty returning to his team, which will also be taking on the FIA World Touring Car Cup with Audi cars once again this year.
“Welcome back Maxime!” added Vosse. “We are all really happy to have Max back for a full season. Internally, the confirmation of his return was met with delight and I know that all the guys here are extremely motivated to take Max back to where he deserves to be on the grid.
“It must also be said that there was a taste of unfinished business: the WRT Karting Academy in 2015, TCR Benelux in 2016 and 2017, fourth place in the TCR Trophy Europe at the end of 2017, and so on. A full season in TCR Europe was therefore the logical continuation.
“As the five TCR Benelux events are integrated into TCR Europe, we will also be well equipped to keep our Team and Driver Championship titles in this competition, while also aiming for a good result in the European Championship.”
Potty will carry out pre-season preparation at the Portimao circuit in Portugal this week, with further testing sessions also set to follow.
“I can count on a year of great experience in this TCR Europe and I know all the circuits, except Hockenheim and Red Bull Ring, which are new on the calendar,” added Potty. “The objective we share with WRT is therefore clear: we want to run at the front and aim for the final podium in TCR Europe and the title in TCR Benelux!”