Coronel: Schmitz can beat the guys in the WTCC

FIA World Touring Car Championship stalwart Tom Coronel believes Sabine Schmitz has what it takes to impress when the WTCC visits her home track, the Nürburgring Nordschleife, for the first time next month.

Schmitz is making her WTCC debut in an ALL-INKL.COM Münnich Motorsport Chevrolet on 15-16 May and Coronel reckons her intimate knowledge of the world’s most demanding race circuit will mean that she will more than hold her own against her 19 male rivals.

“She’s racing in her own backyard,” said Coronel. “She grew up there and is driving there all year round so she knows the track 100 per cent. I know it 80 per cent, Rob Huff knows it 70 per cent and the rest of the drivers 65 per cent but she knows all the points and you have to remember she’s driven cars with even more power than a WTCC car. And the test day [on 28 April] will give her the confidence in the Chevrolet.”

Coronel laughed at suggestions that Schmitz will be given an easy ride by her male rivals in the two three-lap races on the 25-kilometre layout, adding: “Bells start ringing for men when there are girls and cars around. On the track it makes no difference who she is but maybe there will be more patience in the bar afterwards.”