Stefano Comini to race an Audi RS 3 in the 2017 TCR International Series

Two-time TCR International Series champion Stefano Comini will be back on the grid in the 2017 series after all, after announcing he’d been dropped by Leopard Racing two weeks ago, and will now race the newest car to the series, the Audi RS 3 LMS, which will be run by Belgian team Comtoyou Racing.

The team will make the leap up to the International Series from competing in the European Volkswagen Fun Cup, hiring a new technical team to provide Comini with the support with which to challenge for the 2017 title with his third team and marque in three years.

“I received a number of offers,” said Comini. “Jean-Michel Baert, the boss of the outfit, has hired François Verbist, whom I know well since we worked together in 2016. I hold him in great esteem and this convinced me this was the best option. This project has been launched at the last-minute and we’ll go to Georgia with very little preparation.

“There, our goal will be to score as many points as possible. I must say that trying to conquer a third crown in a row, with a third different car brand, is a very exciting challenge.”

François Verbist will join the team from Team WRT, the operation behind Leopard Racing, with a programme which has been put together at the last minute.

“It’s crazy how fast this project has taken off,” said Vervist. “Between the first phone call with Audi Sport Customer Racing and the delivery of the car, only 48 hours had passed. We are happy to have their support, as they wish to showcase the competitiveness of the Audi RS 3 LMS in the global series.

“Everything has happened very late and, clearly, we’ll need a couple of races to be at the top, but I am sure that we have the best people in the team and that we will make it. On top, with Stefano, we have one of the very top drivers. It is a huge challenge, but we are here to bid for the title.”

The team plan to add a second car from their home race, the third round of the season at Spa-Francorchamps.