Gabriele Tarquini admits he would like to compete in the inaugural FIA World Touring Car Cup season, and refused to rule out a return to domestic shores with the newly-formed TCR UK series.
The Italian, who claimed titles in both the British Touring Car Championship (1994) and the now-defunct World Touring Car Championship (2009), was heavily involved in the development of the Hyundai i30 TCR model alongside fellow champion Alain Menu.
In his hands the i30 won its first-ever TCR International Series race at Zhejang, but due to its temporary homologation was ineligible to score championship points.
Tarquini also tasted success in the one-off TCR Europe Trophy event at Adria last October, which has since developed into a fully-fledged championship for 2018.
With his driving options for 2018 still up in the air, Tarquini admitted his focus would be on continuing his recent relationship with the concept.
“To be honest, I would like to race a TCR car – this is the future,” he told TouringCars.net.
“I would like to be involved for a full season, I still enjoy racing, and I’ve tried to build a very good car altogether with the Hyundai people. I would be very pleased to be involved.”
When quizzed, he also admitted TCR UK could be a viable option, with the series announcing earlier today its live stream and television broadcast package for its inaugural year, scheduled to get underway at Silverstone on Easter weekend.
“Why not?” commented Tarquini “If TCR UK will be a good championship like I hope, we can come over for one race or some events.”