Tom Coronel will partner Rodrigo Baptista in this weekend’s TCR South America endurance event at Curitiba in Brazil, getting behind the wheel of the Cobra Racing Audi RS3 LMS TCR.
This weekend’s second TCR South America event will feature a 160 km endurance race, of around one hour or 40 laps, rather than the more traditional double sprint race format of most TCR series.
In the season opener at Interlagos, Baptista claimed a podium in the opening race by finishing third, but he failed to finish the second race after being taken out by Raphale Reis in a big crash.
It will mark Coronel’s first race at Curitiba since he raced there in the 2012 FIA World Touring Car Championship, whilst his best result at the circuit, which he visited six times with the WTCC between 2007 and 2012, came in 2011 when he finished second in race two.
“I’ve known Tom for a long time, and I invited him to partner with Digo Baptista because I think they have very similar profiles,” said Flavio Figueiredo, Team Principal of Cobra Racing.
“Tom is very versatile and experienced. Digo is very young, equally versatile and, for his age, he is also quite experienced in several categories.
“I think they will make a fantastic team, and we hope to finish on the podium.”
“I’m very excited to race in TCR South American championship in Curitiba in Brazil, where ten years ago I finished second. Now, of course, I will drive with the Audi RS3 together with Diego Baptista in a 40-lap race or one hour, for Cobra Racing.
“Let’s wait and see, but I’m excited to travel to Curitiba and to bring home a bigger trophy than I did last time.”
The endurance race is scheduled to take place at 12:13 on Sunday 25 July (16:13 BST, 17:13 CEST).