Pepe Oriola to stay with Sunred

Young Spanish racer Pepe Oriola will stay with SUNRED Engineering for his second season in the World Touring Car Championship.

After collecting some interesting results in his maiden year with the team, including a second position in the FIA European Touring Car Cup, the 17-year-old Oriola will be driving a SEAT León car powered by the new 1.6 litre turbo engine built and homologated by SEAT Sport.

“I have received offers from other teams, but in the end I decided to stay with a Spanish team. First because they will use SEAT’s new engine, and secondly in view of a possible return of the SEAT Sport works team in 2013,” said Oriola, who added: “My goal in 2012 is to fight for the Yokohama Trophy, and I can count on the precious advises of my manager Sérgio Hernández, who won the trophy twice.”

After a first test at Barcelona’s Catalunya circuit tomorrow, Oriola will drive again at Valencia on February 12 and 13.

SUNRED team principal Joan Orús commented: “We will do our best to put Pepe in the conditions of being competitive. He has improved a lot in his first season and has the potential to be on the Yokohama Trophy podium in each race. As for the team, we are close to finalize deals with other drivers, as we aim for a line up of three or four cars in the 2012 WTCC.”