Pepe Oriola continues in WTCC with reconstituted Tuenti SEAT team
Pepe Oriola will remain in a SEAT for the 2013 World Touring Car Championship, run by a reconstituted Tuenti Racing team
Former SEAT factory team SUNRED ran 18-year-old Oriola and Tiago Monteiro under the Tuenti banner last year, but AUTOSPORT understands the backer has now established its own squad for 2013.
Oriola finished runner-up to Norbert Michelisz in last year's Yokohama Trophy, and also became the youngest driver in WTCC history to stand on the podium when he finished second at the Algarve circuit.
Now entering his third season in the championship, Oriola says a top-six championship finish is his main target.
"It has been a difficult winter, as we had to put in a strong effort to find companies willing to sponsor the programme," he explained.
"2013 will be tough, however I hope that the experience I have gained last year will help me to improve further.
"I am still the youngest of the pack, but I am respected by my competitors who have to reckon with me on the track.
"My goal is to finish among the top six in the championship."
2012 WTCC champion Rob Huff announced on Wednesday that he would also be driving a SEAT this year after a shock switch into newcomer Munnich Motorsport.
Huff's team-mates Marc Basseng and Rene Munnich are so far the only other drivers confirmed in SEAT machinery.
2013 WTCC line-up so far: Team Car Driver(s) Honda (JAS) Honda Civic WTCC Gabriele Tarquini/Tiago Monteiro Zengo Motorsport Honda Civic WTCC Norbert Michelisz Lada (Russian Bears) Lada Granta James Thompson/Aleksei Dudukalo Bamboo-Engineering Chevrolet Cruze 1.6T James Nash/Alex MacDowall ROAL Motorsport BMW 320 TC Tom Coronel/Darryl O'Young Proteam Motorsport BMW 320 TC Mehdi Bennani/tba Team Engstler BMW 320 TC Franz Engstler/Charles Ng Wiechers Sport BMW 320 TC tba Munnich Motorsport SEAT Leon WTCC Rob Huff/Marc Basseng/Rene Munnich Tuenti Racing SEAT Leon WTCC Pepe Oriola
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