Chilton confirmed at Sebastien Loeb Racing
Sebastien Loeb Racing has officially confirmed Tom Chilton as its third driver in a three-car assault in the World Touring Car Championship this season.
Photo by: FIA WTCC
Chilton, the older brother of former Marussia F1 driver Max - who recently was confirmed for a full IndyCar season with Chip Ganassi Racing - will drive in the third Citroen C-Elysee car as Motorsport.com had earlier reported.
This will be Chilton's fifth season in WTCC after having competed with ROAL Motorsport for the past two years.
The 30-year-old Brit will partner the already confirmed drivers Mehdi Bennani and Gregoire Demoustier in the 2016 season.
Upon the announcement today, Sebastien Loeb commented: “The aim is to see the team take one step forward each year."
"It was the case last year when getting involved in the World Championship, it will be the case this season with our new rally programme and three cars entered in the WTCC," Loeb, co-founder of the team, explained.
“With Tom Chilton alongside Mehdi and Gregoire, we’ve got experience, efficiency and youth.
"We’re putting a solid lineup together including a British, a Moroccan and a French driver. That also shows that we’re becoming an international team," he added.
Elaborating more on Chilton's signing, Loeb heaped praise on the British driver. “Tom knows this championship very well and has shown how competitive he is.
"I know what I’m talking about as I’ve raced against him before. He’s an ambitious driver, we do appreciate his approach and he will be bringing great experience with him.
"We want to enable him to meet his objectives and I’m convinced we have the potential to clinch good results. We’re glad to welcome Tom, he’s definitely an additional asset.”
Chilton is equally elated to join SLR this season. “It’s a very exciting year ahead, I think it will be one of the best race seats to be racing in this year.
“The team has only been in the championship for a short period of time but has achieved great results so far and many more to come," he said.
"The Citroen C-Elysee has proved to be a championship winning car these past two years. With the combination of a professionally run team, it can only be a positive step forward for me.
"To finish Top 3 is my aim for the main WTCC Championship with a goal to also secure the Drivers WTCC Trophy, with the Teams WTCC Trophy too," explains Chilton on his desire.
"For sure racing in the BTCC for 10 years followed by four years in the WTCC, I have built up a lot of knowledge which can only be a positive thing to add to the team and my teammates.
"I have huge respect for Sebastien Loeb and it’s an exciting feeling to be racing in his team."
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