Reigning Argentine Súper TC2000 champion Néstor Girolami to join the WTCC

There will be even more competition in the FIA World Touring Car Championship when a second fast Argentinean racer joins the field.

Néstor Girolami, 26, will drive for the NIKA International-run Honda Racing team Sweden at Slovakia Ring and Vila Real. Despite his lack of WTCC experience and knowledge of the Honda Civic WTCC, his pending arrival in the series is already creating significant buzz, particularly following his successful test with LADA Sport Rosneft at the Hungaroring last month.

Hailing from the Córdoba Province of Argentina like world champion José María López, Girolami is one of the hottest properties in touring car racing having clinched the 2014 Súper TC2000 crown in Argentina for Peugeot, a title López won three times prior to this record-breaking switch to the WTCC. Indeed, they were great rivals until López secured his permanent graduation to the WTCC with Citroën in 2014.

“I am really very happy with this opportunity but I want to thank Peugeot Argentina for giving me the green light to do these two races and the WTCC promoter Eurosport Events, who introduced me to the world championship and guided me in the negotiations with NIKA International,” said Girolami. “It’s definitely the best opportunity I have had in my career and I cannot wait to start. I have a lot to learn about the car, the tracks and the championship so I will be taking things step-by-step. I would love to come to the WTCC next year and race for a full season. It is a very big and professional championship with a race in Argentina and I want to be a part of it. And racing against ‘Pechito’ López would be the ultimate because he is the reference in the WTCC. I know how competitive he is and have raced against him many times in Argentina. This is what we are working hard towards achieving but the focus now is on the two races.”

WTCC General Manager François Ribeiro added: “Néstor explained his ambition to join the WTCC. We helped him a bit to test for LADA Sport Rosneft at the Hungaroring with Rob Huff, but his contract with Peugeot Argentina was not compatible with LADA’s requirement for a full-time driver to finish the 2015 season. Given the competitiveness of the Súper TC2000 series, we could figure out Néstor’s pace and wanted him to drive a TC1 car with the latest specifications, so that he can race on an equal footing with the other Honda drivers. Only NIKA could offer that opportunity with Rickard Rydell’s car. When it was not certain how long Rickard’s recovery from illness would take we approached the team’s Nicklas Karlsson to agree a deal although we’re very pleased of course that Rickard is now back in action. Everyone at Eurosport Events is really happy to welcome a second top Argentinean driver to the WTCC and to see four Hondas on the grid. López showed the way and probably created aspirations in South America when he became the first FIA world champion from his continent since Ayrton Senna. I’m sure Néstor will be good for the WTCC.”

Nicklas Karlsson, Honda Racing team Sweden Team Principal, said: “We want to thank Rickard for making this gesture to allow Néstor to drive his car in two races, especially as he’s not been able to take part in all the races this season because of illness. It’s never easy for a driver to do this but Rickard understands the importance of allowing our team to give this option to an upcoming driver and we really do appreciate that. Besides, we will take that opportunity to evaluate the feasibility of a two-car team in the future for NIKA Racing. Rickard will be back for WTCC Race of France.”

WTCC Race of Slovakia takes place from 19-21 June. WTCC Race of Portugal is from 10-12 July.