Mattias Vahtel joins TCR Italy grid in JAS role

Estonian driver Mattias Vahtel has been named as the latest addition to the JAS Motorsport Driver Development Programme, and will now take up a race programme in TCR Italy.

The 18-year-old joins Reece Barr, Jacopo Guidetti, Erwin Zanotti and Jack Young on the programme, which has been designed to help young drivers seeking to forge a career as a professional racing driver.

Vahtel will work with JAS to develop his skills both on and off track, with his race programme seeing him join TCR Italy with ALM Honda Racing.

The teenager raced a Honda Civic Type R for the same team in TCR Iberico in 2019, taking third in the standings.

“I’m thrilled to become a JAS Motorsport Development Driver and to secure a drive in TCR Italy as part of the programme,” he said. “It’s an incredible opportunity to develop myself as a professional racing driver on the track and off, and something I can benefit from in a major way.

“I went to JAS in Italy last week for my first ‘workshop’ sessions and have already learnt a lot, especially in terms of simplifying my language with engineers so we can find solutions faster during race events. I’m super-excited to be racing in TCR Italy with a team I already know very well and I’m setting my target on winning it at the first attempt.

“It won’t be easy, but you have to aim high and I know that being a JAS Development Driver will prepare me in the best way possible.”