ROAL Motorsport announced today their line-up for the 2013 WTCC, with Darryl O’Young who will join Tom Coronel at the wheel of the team’s BMW 320 TC cars.
Team principal Roberto Ravaglia said: “We are very confident while looking forward to the new season. Tom is part of our family and we are pleased to welcome Darryl in the team. They are both experienced drivers; Tom has the potential to fight for top three in the Drivers’ Championship and Darryl for the Yokokama Trophy title.”
Coronel faces his third season with ROAL Motorsport, after finishing fourth in the 2011 Drivers’ Championship and fifth last year: “At the end of last year, Roberto Ravaglia made it clear that the team had every reason to continue our existing partnership. During the winter, they have tried everything to make the BMW lighter and better. We are now quite close to the minimum weight, which certainly will give us an advantage. With ROAL Motorsport, we are aiming at top three results in the races and in the championship. Of course, the opposition has been working hard, too, but I am very confident that we can be among the front runners.”
After driving SEAT and Chevrolet cars in WTCC, O’Young makes the switch to rear-wheel drive: “I am excited to join ROAL Motorsport! I have admired Roberto and his team for many years in the WTCC, and to have an opportunity to work with them this season is perfect. I have built a rear-wheel drive experience in GT racing, so I feel the BMW will suit me well. I’m looking forward to begin testing with the team, and I will work hard to deliver the best results. This will be my fourth WTCC season and by now I have the experience to fight for the Yokohama Trophy title.”
The team will hit the track for the first time on February 21 and 22, testing at Vallelunga, Italy.