ROAL Motorsport have announced that they will run two cars in this year's World Touring Car Championship, with Alberto Cerqui joining Tom Coronel in the Italian squad's lineup.
Coronel finished fourth in the WTCC standings last year, as the best non-Chevorlet driver, in his BMW 320 TC. He won one race, at Suzuka.
“2011 was a positive year,” said the Dutchman. “Race after race I improved the feeling with the team and we ended up fighting for the podium in the last four rounds. Starting from last year's fourth place, our goal is to improve and win some more races; I feel I can fight for third in the championship.”
19-year-old Italian driver Cerqui made his first steps in touring cars in 2011 when he raced in the Superstars Series for the ROAL-run BMW Italia outfit. He won the Italian championship, and finished third in the International standings.
“After winning the Italian Superstars, WTCC was the obvious choice to continue my career in touring car racing,” said Cerqui. “Having the opportunity to continue racing for ROAL Motorsport is a further reason to rejoice, though I am aware that is not going to be a walk in the park as most of the tracks are new to me and the level of competition is very high.”
Team boss Roberto Ravaglia commented: “I am extremely satisfied for lining up two cars in 2012. It won't be easy to repeat the good results we achieved in 2011, but I am confident. Tom provides experience and reliability, while Alberto has already shown his talent in adapting to new circuits.”