Néstor Girolami believes that racing with Polestar Cyan Racing in this year’s World Touring Car Championship represents ‘the best opportunity’ in his racing career thus far.
The Argentine steps up to a full-season with the Swedish team in 2017, after having previously only competed in select events in the championship, first with Nika Racing in 2015 and then with Cyan Racing in Japan last year.
The 27-year-old, who followed in WTCC Champion José María López’s footsteps with back-to-back Súper TC2000 titles in 2014 and 2015, has fully committed to the team, including relocating to Gothenberg for the year.
“For me it’s a spectacular moment, I am really happy,” said Girolami. “To be honest I am extremely grateful to get this opportunity with Polestar Cyan Racing.
“The first race with them in Japan last year was really promising. I felt right at home with the team and this is very important for me.
“I hope together with everyone in the team, Thed [Björk] and Nicky [Catsburg], we can take the next step forward to try to gain the championship.
“This will be the best opportunity in my career. This year will be a complete season, very different for me. I have a very strong team behind me so I need to learn as much as possible, not only on the track but before the track in the simulator to do a lot of laps to know the car, the speed at every corner.”
Girolami will be carrying the expectation of a nation, as López’s three WTCC titles in a row built up a huge following for the championship in South America.
Despite that, the Volvo driver says he is very confident heading into the forthcoming season, expecting learning unfamiliar race tracks to present no significant obstacle.
“I feel really confident. To be honest I am preparing very hard to give my best, to try to learn as much as possible because I need to learn the tracks, the car.
“López did a very good job in the WTCC. He took the category to another level and for me he’s a very good driver. I raced with him in a lot of championships, I was twice champion in Súper TC2000 in 2014 and 2015 and he was champion in 2013 so I know him very well. Maybe it could be a very good opportunity for me.”