He was the youngest ever driver to win an FIA World Championship race at the age of 18 years and nine months.
This happened to Pepe Oriola, when he won the World Touring Car Championship’s second race at Marrakech last year.
After three full seasons in WTCC that helped him to win experience and respect, Oriola decided to take 2014 as a sabbatical year. But now the young Spaniard is ready for coming back in the TC3 International Series.
“I really think that TC3 will be the Touring Car series of the future; a championship that has reasonable costs, equal cars and an amazing calendar that is spread across the world. Being able to run with F1 is incredible and it will be very beneficial for our sponsors – that was a great decision by the promoters. I have tested my brother’s SEAT León Racer and both the mechanical level and reliability of the car are excellent.”
You are still very young, although you have already built an impressive CV in international motor sports. Do you think that TC3 has the potential to be formative for young drivers?
“The TC3 format will give young drivers an opportunity to start from a national series and reach international level with the same structure and the same car. I hope we can have a good grid next year, with a mixture of young drivers and those with experience. It will mean that good drivers will be able to enter, not just those drivers with a lot of money. I am determined to secure a seat in the TC3 championship and I am currently working hard to achieve that.”