Coronel gets fresh new look for ROAL Chevrolet Cruze

Tom Coronel has re-signed with ROAL Motorsport to race a Chevrolet Cruze in this year’s World Touring Car Championship.

Coronel is the veteran of the series, with 277 races under his belt in the WTCC (222) and its forerunner, the European Championship (55). He has increased backing from DHL for his new campaign, which means a predominantly yellow livery.

"I want to add many more races," said Coronel, who will spend his fifth season with the team co-owned by Roberto Ravaglia. "This also gives a lot of confidence for the upcoming season.

“Being able to race for another season is great. This will be the fifth year together with ROAL Motorsport. Last year, we took on the adventure with the Cruze together and we had highs and lows.

“In the process, we have learned a lot, which helps us to get 2015 off to a good start. From a technical perspective, the car is almost identical to last year. The most significant difference is that the blue colour is making way for yellow. That, of course, is the result of the partnership with DHL.

“Just like in the Dakar rally, my helmet will be sporting a cheese design with logos of the ERU cheese brand, so it will be 'Eat my cheese' instead of 'Eat my dust'. The yellow colour will be very important for me in 2015."

Busy time before opening flyaway race

Coronel will test at Vallelunga in Italy before his car is shipped to Argentina for the first race there on March 8.

"New for this year is a round on the Nordschleife of the Nürburgring and we will also have races in Thailand and Qatar,” he added. “Macau is no longer on the schedule, but I think that we can look forward to a great season with the calendar for this year.”

Dutchman joins Chilton again

Coronel joins Tom Chilton in the ROAL line-up, and team principal Roberto Ravaglia said: "Our driver line-up for the WTCC remains unchanged. I am pleased to be able to continue the co-operation with Tom Coronel. We know him very well, he is part of our family.

“Last year Coronel was one the best drivers of the championship although he was forced to miss two races. We want to race at the highest level, but our target will be to compete for victories and titles in the Yokohama Trophy.

“With Coronel and Chilton we have a very reliable couple of drivers."