With the 2022 Formula 1 World Championship kicking off in Bahrain this weekend, here’s the WTCR family – the World Touring Car Championship.
Tom Coronel: He tested a stock for two days in Barcelona in 1999. He’s now an expert Formula One commentator on the Dutch channel Via Play Sport, when he’s not racing in the WTCR of course.
Jordi GenĆ©: Nearly 30 years before joining the CUPRA ZengÅ Motorsport Drivers’ Academy for the 2021 WTCR season, the Spaniard was a test driver for the Benetton F1 team.
Esteban Guerrieri: No driver has won more WTCR races than Honda Racing but, in 2010, Formula One called him up for a spot in 2011 with Virgin Racing. However, he was unable to guarantee the budget for the signature.
Ma Qing Hua: He drove to HRT and Caterham in 2012 and 2013 respectively, and participated in Friday practice at the Italian Grand Prix in 2012. He is currently preparing for his return to WTCR with Cyan Performance Lynk & Co.
Hungaroring: Among the episodes that will host WTCR races in 2022, it is the only current Formula 1 venue on the calendar.
Alessandro Mariani: He runs JAS Motorsport, the organization responsible for the Honda Civic Type R TCR project, but once team manager for BMS Scuderia Italia and then Minardi after the two companies merged in 1994.
Thiago Monteiro (pictured): New LIQUI Moly Team Engstler recruit for WTCR 2022 was in F1 in 2005 and 2006 and is best known for taking a podium – the only Portuguese driver to do so – at the 2005 United States Grand Prix.
Andy Priaulx: The Briton was a race winner during his only WTCR season with Cyan Performance Lynk & Co in 2019. Three-time FIA āāWorld Touring Car champion, he was a Williams F1 test driver in 2005.
Gabriel Tarquini: The first king of the WTCR, he competed in 78 races weekend in Formula One, qualified for the 38 Grand Prix and scored a point in the World Championships in Mexico in 1989.
Photo: Eric Fargolo / DPPI
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