Mattias Vahtel will make World Touring Car history this weekend at Vallelunga, when he joins the TCR World Tour grid as the first-ever Estonian in top-level touring cars, whilst Ruben Volt will join the series next time at the Hungaroring.
Both drivers have been regulars in TCR Italy since the start of the 2021 season, with Volt enjoying some strong results already, having accumulated four podium finishes in total, ending 2021 and 2022 in sixth and fourth overall in the drivers’ standings respectively.
Vahtel also claimed a podium in 2021, when he was ninth overall, whilst last year he ended the year in 11th.
The duo race for Estonian team ALM Motorsport with strong links to JAS Motorsport, developer of the Honda Civic Type-R TCR.
As such, they will get their hands on the latest FL5-spec car in the series, teaming up with Néstor Girolami at ALM, which has been running the Argentine all year so far.
“I am extremely pleased that we can offer Mattias and Ruben the opportunity to compete in the TCR World Tour, and to measure themselves with the best drivers in the field and the best technology,” said Martin Laur, ALM Honda Racing Team Principal.
“They have a great opportunity to be teammates with one of the world’s best Touring Car drivers and learn as much as possible from him.”
Vahtel is looking forward to partnering Girolami at Vallelunga this weekend, a circuit he has twice raced at in TCR Italy, including scoring a best finish of sixth last year.
“I’m looking forward to this weekend, it’s a great opportunity for me as a driver,” said Vahtel. “I want to make the most of my cooperation with Girolami.
“I am sure that together with the team we will be able to do well and at the same time we will also make history of Estonian motorsport.”