Tom Coronel will be drafted into SEAT’s team in a third Leon alongside regular drivers Jason Plato and Darren Turner for the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship’s season finale at Thruxton on 14 October.

SEAT’s decision to field Dutchman Coronel follows Vauxhall’s announcement yesterday (Thursday) that it is bringing in former double champion Alain Menu alongside Fabrizio Giovanardi and Tom Chilton to boost its title charge.

The two makes are locked in combat for the Drivers’, Manufacturers' and Teams’ titles.

However, whereas Menu has years of BTCC experience, this will mark Coronel’s debut in both the series and at Thruxton.

But Coronel, who races a Leon in the World Touring Car Championship and who last year won the series’ independents title, has no fears.

He said: “There are two special things for me – one, it is always nice to race a SEAT, and two, I have never raced in the BTCC before and it’s always been a championship that I have looked up to and wanted to experience.

“I have seen it on television and the strength of drivers and the standard of the competition is very strong. I’ve never been to Thruxton before, but I hear it’s very fast and I like fast circuits. A circuit is a circuit and I know the Leon well, so for me it won’t be a problem.

“I have come into a different championship before in my career to help out, so I know what is expected of me.”