One of the most interesting aspects of the new WTCC season is the significant rejuvenation of the competitors. Although touring car racing has always been considered as a category dominated by drivers in their forties, and even older, the 2012 WTCC is drastically reversing the trend.
For the first time half of the field is made up of drivers under-30, including a few promising teen-agers such as Pepe Oriola (17-years old) the youngest ever in WTCC, Alberto Cerqui (19) reigning champion of the Italian Superstars and Fernando Monje (19) coming from the European F3 Open.
The arrival of this green tide has suddenly lowered the average age to 31.7 years from last year’s 34.1.
It is the proof that WTCC is now regarded as a serious alternative to formula cars in building a professional career and the championship welcomes young racers coming from single-seater categories such as Mehdi Bennani (World Series), Pasquale di Sabatino (Auto GP) and Fernando Monje (F3 Open).