ROAL Motorsport’s Tom Coronel believes that the withdrawal of Chevrolet’s works team from the 2013 World Touring Car Championship means the field is more open than ever – with the Dutchman saying ‘anything could happen’.
Coronel, who finished 5th and 4th in the last two seasons of WTCC respectively, believes that the fight will no longer be simply about being the best WTCC driver – a feat that the 40 year-old has managed since BMW withdrew their works team at the end of 2010.
“For the last two years there have been two championships,” said Coronel. “The Chevrolet’s contested one between themselves, while everyone else battled it out for the title of ‘Best of the Rest’. As far as I was concerned, it was all about being the best BMW driver. That has changed now. It will definitely be an exciting season, in which anything could happen.”
Entering his third season with the Italian ROAL team run by former champion Roberto Ravaglia, Coronel believes that the continuity will help him to be even more succesful in 2013.
“Roberto, the team and I have come to know each other very well,” continued Coronel. “As such, there will be no disruptions within the team. Furthermore, the BMW 320 TC has shown on more than one occasion that it is capable of competing at the very front of the field. All this means I am in my best position for years going into the season. My goal is to win races and finish in the top three – at least – in the Drivers’ Championship.”
However, Coronel was wary of the continued threat from the RML-run Chevrolet’s, as well as the potential from the new works Honda team. Indeed Coronel was beaten to 4th in the 2012 championship by Gabriele Tarquini, who takes the wheel of a works-backed Honda for 2013. Whilst Tarquini took a solitary win at the Slovakiaring in 2012, Coronel himself could only manage a single second-place finish in Valencia early in the year as his best result.
“I am obviously well aware the Chevrolets will still be very quick, even without the works support. We’ll also have to wait and see what the new Honda team is capable of in its first complete season.
“In 2013 I will concentrate even more intensely on the FIA WTCC, and will prepare even more meticulously for the races. Roberto will do the same thing, as we both have realised what we can achieve next season.”