autoevolution
 

Coronel Extends SUNRED Deal in the WTCC

Although he was linked with a move to the British Touring Car Championship earlier this year, Tom Coronel announced that he has secured a drive in the FIA WTCC series for 2009. The Dutch driver will therefore continue his collaboration with the SUNRED team in 2009, as he will also benefit from financial backing from Dutch importer of Seat cars, Pon Car.

Coronel reckoned that the new deal was a life-savior, considering the difficult economic times that have influenced all of FIA's major motorsport series. He will again compete on a petrol-powered Seat Leon (as last year) and will try to at least match his 2008 performances, when he took his maiden win, in Japan, and scored a runner-up place in Germany.

“Being able to race at world championship level is great and I am proud of the fact that it all came together in the end once more, in spite of the difficult situation at the moment. I feel like a SEAT guy and I will remain a SEAT guy!” said Coronel after securing his race seat for 2009.

“I am happy that the partnership with the SUNRED team will be continued. My first year with them was very positive and I am really feeling at home within the team. Last year, the results were very good already, so that certainly gives me a positive feeling,” added the Dutch driver.

Thanks to Tom Coronel, Seat finished the last season with an impressive number of victories, taking no less than 12 wins out of 24 races. His win at Okayama also helped the Spanish manufacturer clinch its maiden Constructors' title in the history of the series. It was Coronel's first outing with the SUNRED team, after switching from GR-Asia.
If you liked the article, please follow us:  Google News icon Google News Youtube Instagram X (Twitter)
 

Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?

You will only receive our top stories