Tom Coronel joins Spyker Squadron

Tom Coronel will rejoin the Spyker Squadron, the works racing team of Dutch car sports Car manufacturer Spyker. Coronel will participate in the full race program of Spyker, which consists of the Le Mans Series and the Le Mans 24 hour race. These races neatly fit in with Tom's program in the FIA World Touring Car Championship with SEAT. "It all falls in place. There are no date clashes between the Le Mans Series and the FIA WTCC. Unfortunately the last two years this was the case, so I had to skip Le Mans as I was, and still am, committed to SEAT for a full season in the WTCC. I always regretted that I could not do Le Mans, as it is one of the biggest single races in the world. Le Mans is simply special. However despite being away from the Squadron for some time we always stayed in touch. Of course it helps a lot that I have known team manager Peter van Erp since the early start of my race career. So when the opportunity came along there was no doubt in taking up the chance to work together again", Tom Coronel said.

This year Tom will contest the Le Mans 24 hour race for the ninth time, although we must keep some reservations as the list of invited teams for the French classic has not yet been published by the ACO. As usual the French organisation received more entry requests than the maximum amount of 55 cars that will be allowed to start the race. The Spyker Squadron however has been very loyal to the ACO over the years and on top of that the team will also contest the full Le Mans series. Therefore the team has high hopes of receiving at least one entry for the race. The ACO will publish the list of invited teams later this month.

After a renewed acquaintance last year in Silverstone, when Tom stood in for regular driver Peter Dumbreck, Tom is back for a full season. "At Silverstone I already noticed that the team had grown a lot, while the car had also been dramatically improved. I am really looking forward to it, of course especially to the Le Mans 24 hour race. Besides that we will also go to great racetracks like Spa Francorchamps, Silverstone and the new Portimao track in Portugal". No announcements have been made about the teammates for Tom Coronel yet. The team is still negotiating with potential candidates, among them last year's regulars Peter Dumbreck and Ralf Kelleners.

-credit: tomcoronel.nl