Tom Romeo Coronel (born 5 April 1972) is a Dutch professional racing driver. Tom's twin brother Tim is also a racer, just like their father Tom Coronel Sr. His most important results are winning the Marlboro Masters of Formula 3 race in 1997, the Formula Nippon championship in 1999, and the 2006 and 2009 World Touring Car Championship Independents' Trophy. As of September 2016, Tom Coronel has driven over 1,000 races.[2]
Coronel is currently still racing in the WTCC, where he won his first WTCC race in Okayama, Japan in 2008. After competing as an independent driver in a SEAT for many years Tom switched to BMW in 2011. In 2014 Coronel stayed with ROAL Motorsport,[3] but the team switched to Chevrolet Cruzes to be built by RML specially for the new TC1 technical regulations. Even though he has no official factory backing, Tom is no longer considered an independent driver, due to his experience and results in the past. Tom has also been racing for the Dutch Spyker Squadron in the Le Mans Series as well as the 24 Hours of Le Mans for many years. Furthermore, Tom is often invited to join one-off races like the 24 hours at the Nürburgring.
Biography
Early years
Born in Naarden, Coronel started his racing career in 1990 racing in the Dutch Citroën AX Cup, after being named the most talented driver in the local racing school. After a learning debut year, he started to become successful in 1991. With four victories and 105 points he won the title; he also won an international Citroën AX race in Barcelona. He moved up to the Dutch Touring Car Championship in 1992 competing in a BMW 320i. He was crowned champion that same year, beating his older brother and teammate Raymond Coronel. He also started to compete in the Dutch Formula Ford championship, with team Fresh. At the end of 1992 he decided to focus his attention on single seater racing.
Coronel stayed with team Fresh in 1993 and again was a strong competitor. Victorious in three races, he won the Dutch Formula Ford championship that year. Also he came in second in the Benelux championship, behind the Belgian driver Geoffroy Horion (who lost the Dutch championship to Coronel). His participation in a few German Formula Ford races resulted in a handful of podium finishes. He finished ninth in that year's Formula Ford Festival.
European formula
In 1994, Coronel debuted in the Euroseries Formula Opel Lotus, racing for the Dutch Van Amersfoort Racing team. With eight pole positions and two victories he was successful, but lost the championship to Marco Campos. He won the nations cup for the Netherlands together with Donny Crevels and was elected 'Dutch Driver of the year'.
Other activities
The Coronel family owns two indoor go-karting tracks in Huizen and Enschede. Tom co-hosts an automotive programme with Tim and was a regular guest on the Dutch Formula One broadcast until RTL decided not to go on with the studio shows, in favour of more "on track" time during the broadcast. Tom also worked for Ziggo Sport and Viaplay during their Formula One broadcasts.
Coronel is in a relationship with racing driver Paulien Zwart and they have a daughter and a son (Rocco) together. The pair were teammates at Carly Motors in the 2004 European Touring Car Championship season. Pauline is the daughter of Ascari Cars owner Klaas Zwart, who also raced for Carly in 2004. Rocco Coronel is also a racing driver currently racing in karting and the Ginetta Junior Championship and member of the Red Bull Junior Team.[9][10]
Racing record
24 Hours of Le Mans results
Complete German Formula Three results
(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
Complete Japanese Formula 3 results
(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
Complete JGTC results
(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
Complete Formula Nippon results
(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
External links
References
- Graham Goodwin. Updated 2022 Provisional FIA Driver Rankings Published Dailysportscar, 10 November 2021, retrieved 21 February 2025^
- DHL Rugby. Does @RoalMotorsport's @TomCoronel have what it takes to match the mighty @fijirugby 7s & #DHLImpactPlayer Series w… 21 September 2016^
- ROAL to run Chevrolets for Tom Coronel and Tom Chilton World Touring Car Championship, TouringCarTimes, 12 December 2013, retrieved 12 December 2013