Eight private test sessions for the 2010 season have been approved by the FIA Touring Car Commission. The 30-minute private testing have been authorized in order to let the teams shaking their cars down after overseas travelling or fixing the set up on those racetracks that are new to the championship or have rejoined the calendar after a break, like Monza. Friday afternoon test sessions will be held at Curitiba, Puebla, Marrakech, Monza, Zolder, Portimão and Okayama, with Macau’s on Thursday.

Testing: Fri

Free Practice 1: Sat

Free Practice 2: Sat

Qualifying Q1: Sat

Qualifying Q2: Sat

Warm Up: Sun

Grid Race 1: Sun

Race 1: Sun

Grid Race 2: Sun

Race 2: Sun

2009 FIA WTCC Independents’ Trophy winner Tom Coronel will switch to a SEAT León TDI for the new season. After four years at the wheel of petrol-powered SEAT León cars, the 37-year-old Dutchman announced today he will drive a turbodiesel machine run by SUNRED Engineering. "I always said I wanted to have a diesel car. At last I managed to get one. With this car we can fight for podium places on a regular basis," said Coronel. 2010 will also mark his third season with the Spanish team.

England-based bamboo-engineering launched today their maiden campaign in the FIA World Touring car Championship. The team will field two Chevrolet lacetti cars for drivers Harry Vaulkhard and Darryl O’Young who will be the first Chinese ever to take part in a full WTCC season. Team manager Richard Coleman explained: “We have a great driver line up: Harry showed last year what he can achieve. Darryl is a huge talent and I expect him to be a regular podium contender in the Independents’ Trophy.”

Macanese driver Ho Wai Kun, better known as Henry Ho, is due to join the 2010 FIA WTCC at mid season in a BMW 320si car run by the experienced Liqui Moly Team Engstler. The 24-year old Ho who claimed two Macau Touring Car Championship titles in 2008 and 2009, was in negotiations with the German outfit to find the budget for the whole season, after making his first WTCC appearances last year at Okayama and his home racetrack.

WTCC 2009 Support Races

2nd Generation Bio-Fuel