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Coronel excited – and apprehensive – to partner Monteiro in WTCR

Tom Coronel can't wait to link up with new team-mate Tiago Monteiro in the WTCR - FIA World Touring Car Cup this season - even though he admits the Portuguese has more than what it takes to upstage him.

Monteiro (pictured left with Coronel) was heading to the FIA World Touring Car Championship crown in 2017 only to suffer serious injuries in a testing crash in Spain last September.

But following a lengthy - and arduous - recovery period, Monteiro is on track to return to action in the all-new WTCR, partnering Coronel in the Honda-powered Boutsen Ginion Racing outfit.

"It's plus and minus," said Coronel of the prospect of joining forces with Monteiro. "The guy was winning the WTCC last year but in motorsport you never know what's going to happen and that was the story with Tiago.

"He was the strongest by far last year and now he's my team-mate. He'll be a tough cookie but I like challenges.

"It will take some time to get 100 per cent but I will support him in every way because I'm his friend. Just when the lights go off until the chequered flag everybody is my biggest opponent, but outside that to be with him at Boutsen Ginion Racing is a very good thing."

WTCR - FIA World Touring Car Cup is the new name for the FIA World Touring Car Championship. It will take place over 10 planned race weekends starting in Marrakech, Morocco, from 7-8 April. All 26 entry slots have been filled.

Zdroj: fiawtcr.com